General George

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A smart field of nine has entered to contest the $200,000 General George H.

(G2) at Laurel Park on Monday. The five-year-old GATORS N BEARS (Stormy

Atlantic) has not come out victorious from his last four outings, but a return

to the track he calls home could be the perfect remedy. The bay has posted a

stellar 9-4-2-3 mark over this surface which includes a good third-place finish

in the 2004 running of this event. Gators N Bears posted a sparkling four-furlong workout earlier in the week, and top jock Ramon Dominguez will pilot,

only adding to the appeal.

UNFORGETTABLE MAX (Northern Afleet) was a strong closing second in this race

last year, and has since switched trainers twice. The five-year-old bay was last

seen running a decent fourth in the Cigar Mile H. (G1) in November, but has run

well fresh before and could pose a big threat if he's ready. Harry Vega will

ride for conditioner Guadalupe Preciado.

We'll go with a big longshot to fill out the trifecta in choosing the

inconsistent HOUSTON'S PRAYER (Houston) to get third. The five-year-old gelding

has been razor sharp in his last pair in New York, and a repeat of either of

those makes him competitive in this fray. This trainer/jockey combination teamed

up for a big upset stakes win last weekend, and may have a chance at another.

DON SIX (Wild Escapade) is the horse to catch and beat, but we feel he is

vulnerable at seven panels and will take a stand against him for the win. The

dark bay has just posted back-to-back lifetime best races and has flourished

since switching to the barn of Scott Lake. However, he has proven to get leg weary going

this far in the past and must deal with a surface he's completely unaccustomed

to. We recommend his use in all exotic wagers.

SARATOGA COUNTY (Valid Expectations) closed like a freight train to win the

Mr. Prospector H. (G3) last out and is in career form for trainer George Weaver.

The four-year-old colt was the beneficiary of a wicked pace duel in his last,

but will likely not see the same in here and could be left with too much to do

in the latter stages. We still consider the bay a must use on the bottom of all

exotics.

BOCCA AL LUPO (Grand Slam) is making his graded stakes debut here for

Timothy Tullock Jr. The lightly raced five-year-old seems to be in over his

head, but is perfect from five starts over this surface and comes off a career

topping effort. His affinity for the local oval makes him an exotics threat.

PRIVATE HORDE (Brunswick) could get the dream trip in here, getting first run

on the closers from his outside post turning for home. The Grade 2-winning

sprinter was dominant in waxing his opponents in the Forego S. most recently,

but has lacked consistent form over the past two seasons. A good effort by the

bay would not shock us, but we'll keep his use on the lowest rungs of the

gimmicks.

TASTE OF PARADISE (Conquistador Cielo) ships in from the West Coast for

trainer Gary Mandella. The dark bay captured the Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) two

back in thrilling fashion, closing fast beneath today's rider Jose Valdivia Jr.

The rail draw and the inability of this horse to hit the board in three prior

efforts at this distance leans us against this one. NEW YORK HERO (Partner's

Hero) could add to the pace of the race, but has been winless for some time and

probably doesn't belong with these.