Forego

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Though Saturday's $250,000 Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga is at seven furlongs,

there are enough Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1)-bound, six-furlong specialists in the

field of 11 to make this a significant event in the championship race.

Our heart will not totally overwhelm our head here but we do retain a soft

spot for VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]), who has displayed

championship-quality form over the past two seasons. The leading dirt-based

juvenile in 2008 off easy wins in the Champagne S. (G1) and Hopeful S. (G1), the

gray developed into one of the nation's top sprinters last season when winning the

Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1) and crossing the wire first in the King's

Bishop S. (G1). He returned off a long layoff to win the James Marvin S. in

impressive style on Saratoga's opening day, and he should be on or close to the

lead throughout this contest. Perhaps he's been fortunate to catch off-tracks of

late, but we feel his class will shine through regardless of surface condition.

Vineyard Haven's entrymate, GIROLAMO (A.P. Indy), has not raced since

trailing the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) last November. Before that ill-advised

placement on Pro-Ride, the Godolphin colorbearer impressively won twice over a

mile at Belmont, including the Jerome H. (G2), and over this trip and track in a

first-level allowance. His works leading up to this have been outstanding and we

expect him to run big off the bench.

HERE COMES BEN (Street Cry [Ire]) makes his graded debut here, freshened

since a nice win the Kelly's Landing S. at Churchill Downs on June 25. While he

only eked out a neck win as the odds-on choice, he was forced to make a

five-wide move into contention and had to work a little to run down a capable

rival. If he can transfer his Churchill form to the Spa, he can contend here at

juicy odds.

BIG DRAMA (Montbrook) and BRIBON (Fr) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]), both major

sprint winners this season, recently ran second and third, respectively, in the

Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) over six furlongs. Both were run off their feet by

the freakish Majesticperfection (Harlan's Holiday), who was left alone on an

easy lead. Big Drama, who has quite a bit of speed, figures to be in the second

flight again chasing the speedy CHECKLIST (Gone West), but we're not convinced

he has the class to keep up with our top selection, who should be racing right

with him or slightly ahead.

Bribon turned in an explosive late kick to land the six-furlong True North H.

(G2) two back, but we're still of the belief a one-turn mile is his best game.

The expected fast pace will surely aid his rally, however, and he's a

must-include in all vertical exotics.

WARRIOR'S REWARD (Medaglia d'Oro) must be considered a danger off his spring

form, when he captured the Carter H. (G1) and ran second in the Churchill Downs

S. (G2). He flopped against tougher in the Metropolitan H. (G1) when last seen,

a performance well below par, and we expect better from him. However, Girolamo,

Here Comes Ben and Bribon seem to us to be more talented closers.

Throw out his Gulfstream Park H. (G2) victory and the form of YOU AND I

FOREVER (A.P. Indy) fails to inspire. We have the same concerns with OMNISCIENT

(Pulpit), who appeared to freak when taking a relatively minor two-turn stakes

at Monmouth last out. Checklist looks like a pace factor only while Grade 2

veteran CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid) needs to improve considerably off his

belated seasonal bow at Delaware Park. STARFORADAY (Five Star Day) has recently

lost for a $60,000 tag and in a $25,000 starter allowance. Enough said.