Hal's Hope

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Shortened to a one-turn mile in 2007, Saturday's $100,000 Hal's Hope H. (G3)

sets up as a showdown between STRONG CONTENDER (Maria's Mon) and

SWEETNORTHERNSAINT (Sweetsouthernsaint). Both could be major players in the

handicap division this year, but Strong Contender is the only one with a race

over the track, winning a one-mile allowance in brilliant fashion last February.

He earned a 108 BRIS Speed rating for that performance and instantly propelled

himself near the top of many Kentucky Derby (G1) lists.

Strong Contender returned off a lengthy layoff to win that allowance race

last year by 4 3/4

lengths, and he'll return from a similar break on Saturday. He was last seen

posting an impressive score in the Super Derby (G2) in late September, earning a

106 Speed rating, and the chestnut colt turned in another terrific effort last

season when taking the Dwyer S. (G2) at Belmont Park by 7 3/4 lengths. Strong

Contender appears to be training well for John Ward Jr. in preparation for his

return, and we'll look for him to sit just off the early pace under Edgar Prado

before striking.

Sweetnorthernsaint was the Kentucky Derby favorite. He won the Illinois Derby

(G2) by 9 1/4 lengths, then finished seventh in the Derby, before running second

to Bernardini (A.P. Indy) in the Preakness S. (G1). The Michael Trombetta runner

went to the sidelines afterward and didn't resurface until mid-October, easily

winning an allowance/optional claiming event at Laurel. Last out, the dark bay

crushed listed stakes rivals at Delaware Park, winning the Odessa S. by 8 1/4

lengths in mid-November. Sweetnorthernsaint has earned Speed ratings of 114 and

108 in his career, and the distance should be no trouble for the versatile

gelding.

CHATAIN (Forest Wildcat) opened his career with a maiden special weight

victory followed by a runner-up finish to Showing Up (Strategic Mission) in an

allowance race, and he earned century-topping Speed ratings for both one-mile

efforts at Gulfstream. The Angel Penna Jr. pupil wasn't seen again until

mid-October, returning to the races with a 10-length allowance tally around two

turns, and Chatain has been working well at Palm Meadows for his South Florida

return. The talented four-year-old might jump up and challenge for it all in

this spot, but we'll look for more down the road from Chatain.

REHOBOTH (Wagon Limit) should relish the one-turn mile distance and is going

very well presently for conditioner Frank Gomez with triple-digit Speed ratings

in three of his last four starts. The three-time stakes winner steps up in class

in this spot, but he won over the track last year and deserves serious

consideration for the bottom of the exotics.

SIR GREELEY (Mr. Greeley) is a Grade 3 winner at a mile with solid

connections (Jimmy Jerkens/John Velazquez). The five-year-old gelding tuned up

for this start with a runner-up finish in the six-furlong Fall Highweight H.,

and he could challenge for part from off the pace. YES YES YES (Yes It's True)

won his last start going away at Churchill Downs, but that race came at six

furlongs and a mile represents a stiff challenge for the likely pacesetter. We

wouldn't be shocked to see him hang on for a small share if the track is favoring

front runners, but we'll try to beat the speed.

ISTAN (Gone West) has been kept on the main track since arriving from Europe,

but we wouldn't be surprised to see the five-year-old eventually return to the

sod for Bill Mott. The bay needed his last start off the shelf and is eligible

to show more here, but he could find this company too difficult. Queen's Plate

S. winner EDENWOLD (Southern Halo) would probably prefer more ground.

CARROTS ONLY (Defrere) will need to improve significantly to challenge. BIG

LOVER (Ecton Park) hasn't been much of a factor in his recent starts and didn't

run well at Gulfstream last year. INDY WIND (A.P. Indy) exits a sharp score in

the Alysheba S. at Meadowlands, but the five-year-old faced a stiff class test

in this spot. REXSON'S ROSE (Suave Prospect) will make his stakes bow in a

difficult spot. ECCLESIASTIC (Pulpit) is cross-entered to the grassy Ft.

Lauderdale S. and would probably be better suited in that spot.