Hall of Fame J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

A short field of six will head to the post in Friday's Hall of Fame S. (G2)

and INTERACTIF (Broken Vow) is the one to beat. A multiple Grade 3 winner on

turf last season, including the With Anticipation S. (G3) at Saratoga, the Todd

Pletcher runner switched to the main track earlier this season as a Triple Crown

contender and finished seventh (elevated to sixth via disqualification) in the

Belmont S. (G1). The bay colt returned to his preferred surface last time in the

Virginia Derby (G2) and netted a career-best 107 BRIS Speed rating for a

commendable second to Paddy O'Prado (El Prado [Ire]).

Interactif owns good tactical and figures to sit a perfect stalking trip a

few lengths off the pace under Javier Castellano before offering his best. A

three-time runner-up in 2010, he can pick up his first victory of the season in

this spot.

KRYPTON (Rock Hard Ten) can complete a very chalky exacta. An allowance

performer earlier this year for Kiaran McLaughlin, the dark bay colt broke

through with his first stakes win in the Hill Prince (G3) two back and exits a

solid third in the Virginia Derby. His BRIS numbers are on par with Interactif,

and the Florida-bred colt is eligible to keep improving for his crafty

conditioner. His versatility is another asset, as he's proven effective on the

lead or from off the pace. We respect his chances.

NORDIC TRUCE (Yes It's True) opened his racing career with three straight

wins but came up short as the 3-5 choice in the Hill Prince last time. The

Christophe Clement runner is a dedicated closer who doesn't have much pace in

this race, a scenario that confounded him in the Hill Prince, where he found

himself uncharacteristically on the lead. We'll look for him to settle for third-place honors.

GRAND RAPPORT (Grand Reward) made his seasonal and turf debut a winning one

last time at Monmouth Park, capturing an entry-level allowance by a head, and

received respectable BRIS Speed (97) and Late Pace (100) numbers for his effort,

and we were impressed by his effort off the shelf. The Gary Contessa-trained

gelding could have a nice future on the weeds and merits consideration for part,

but we'd be surprised to see him challenge the main contenders.

PARIS VEGAS (Maria's Mon) was well beaten in two consecutive French Group 2

events before finishing second in the Austrian Derby last time. He shows no

works in the United States and we'll just watch to see how he fares. CITRUS KID

(Lemon Drop Kid) returns off a lengthy layoff for John Terranova and didn't run

well in his lone previous turf attempt. This looks like a race to build upon.

COLIZEO (Distorted Humor) is entered for main-track only and will be the one

to catch if the race comes off the turf.