Fourstardave

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday's $150,000 Fourstardave H. (G2) took a hit when Remarkable News (Ven)

(Chayim) was removed from consideration a few days ago, but a competitive field

remains in the 1 1/16-mile event. Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) runner-up

BRILLIANT (War Chant) is a deserving 3-1 on the morning line, but he

didn't run well on the turf at Saratoga in his lone appearance last year. We'll

tab the hard-hitting SILVER TREE (Hennessy) for top honors.

Winner of the 2004 Bernard Baruch H. (G2) at the Spa, Silver Tree finished

second in back-to-back editions of the Fourstardave (2004-05) and has always run

well on the turf at Saratoga. The seven-year-old will enter in good current form

for Bill Mott, easily taking the July 15 Caesar Rodney S. at Delaware Park last out,

and he captured the Appleton H. (G3) earlier this season. Silver Tree can be

placed anywhere with his tactical speed, and he could prove impossible to deny

with Kent Desormeaux.

FISHY ADVICE (Woodman) will offer the opportunity for some value. Fifth in

the Bowling Green H. (G2) most recently, the David Donk trainee won two listed

stakes prior to that, capping 2006 with a score in the Laurel Turf Cup and

opening his five-year-old campaign with a win in the Battlefield S., and he

probably regressed last time off a hard-fought victory in the Battlefield. Fishy

Advice is eligible to show more at Saratoga, where he's turned in two commendable

efforts previously (1-0-1), and his BRIS numbers are very respectable here.

He'll likely be close to the pace under Javier Castellano, and we expect him to

be in the thick of things turning for home.

Brilliant was no match for Remarkable News in the Firecracker Breeders' Cup

H. (G2), but he offered a solid rally to finish a clear second and definitely

looms as the most classy member of this field. The four-year-old has been

registering terrific Speed and Late Pace ratings this year, and he turned in an

outstanding effort when second by a nose to Sky Conqueror (Sky Classic) in the

Woodford Reserve. Brilliant didn't run well when fifth in last year's National

Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2), but we wouldn't be surprised to see him

make amends for that performance. The Neil Howard-trained colt scares us.

HOST (Chi) (Hussonet) could prove dangerous. Winner of the Elkwood S. at

Monmouth two starts back, he rallied for third in the Poker H. (G3) last time,

and the Todd Pletcher pupil will be making his Saratoga debut. The

seven-year-old owns plenty of back class and huge Late Pace numbers, but the

deep closer often leaves himself too much to do. Host remains a threat to run

past his rivals late.

DRUM MAJOR (Dynaformer), who shows some nice works over the turf at Saratoga,

will be running late under Rafael Bejarano. The Grade 3 winner isn't the most

consistent performer, but he'll be making his second start of the season for

George Weaver, and he could challenge for a top-three placing. WOODLANDER

(Forestry) is another one to consider for a minor award. The five-year-old

rallied boldly for runner-up honors in the Poker, and he appears to be on the

upswing for Gary Contessa. Woodlander still has some class concerns here, but we

can't count him completely out.

GIANT WRECKER (Giant's Causeway), who's cross-entered to the Oceanport S.

(G3) at Monmouth, will likely be a pace factor in this spot. Trained by Mark

Hennig, the five-year-old captured the Canadian Turf H. (G3) in wire-to-wire

fashion earlier this year, and he exits a couple of solid efforts at Calder and

Delaware Park. The front runner can't be eliminated from exotics consideration,

but we'll have to let him beat us. GIANT BASIL (Giant's Causeway) was no factor

in two graded efforts last year and faltered as the favorite when second in an

allowance/optional claiming event at Belmont Park last out. The Bobby Frankel

runner still owns some promise for the future, but we'll just have to watch how

he performs on Sunday.

SILENT ROAR (Unbridled's Song), also cross-entered to the Oceanport, will be tested for class. The Michael Moran

charge likes the distance (4-2-1-1) and is doing well presently, but we can't

recommend his chances. NIAGARA CAUSEWAY (Giant's Causeway) steps up off an entry

level allowance win. The Patrick Biancone-trained colt owns graded stakes

experience, but this company could prove too tough for him.

EVENING ATTIRE (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) is entered for the main track only.