Hill Prince

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A solid cast of consistent sophomore turf stars will go one mile in the

$100,000 Hill Prince S. (G3) at Belmont Park on Friday.

CONSERVATIVE (Unbridled's Song) closed powerfully to gain the place in the

Lexington S. (G2) for Shug McGaughey last out and looks like the one to beat

from off the pace in this test. The improving colt has moved up a good deal from

his juvenile campaign, with two wins and two seconds in his four tries this

year, and has the right running style here. Conservative will attempt to put

this field away late.

Recent Woodlawn S. star AFFIRMATIF (Unbridled's Song) is a prime threat in

here for Todd Pletcher. A course-record setting debut winner at Gulfstream, the

bay colt rebounded from an allowance loss at Keeneland with a fine score in the

Woodlawn S. at Pimlico at 2-5 odds. The competition is much stiffer in here, but

Affirmatif will be tough if he can avoid trouble. John Velazquez has the call.

Hallandale Beach S. winner DUKE OF HOMBERG (GB) (Dynaformer) ran off in the

early stages of the Palm Beach S. (G3) last out but has been freshened for this

by the red-hot Tom Albertrani. The three-year-old colt, who notched third and

fourth-place efforts over Belmont's yielding sod as a juvenile, has a good deal

of ability but must learn to relax early in this speed-happy field. We think he

will under Ramon Dominguez, and we'll look for him to rally for a minor award at

useful odds.

European import ELMFIELD BOY (Medaglia d'Oro) was one we were looking forward

to in advance of his U. S. debut and he did not disappoint, rolling home to an

easy allowance win over the synthetic track at Presque Isle Downs for

conditioner Steve Klesaris. The intriguing dark bay was a smart debut winner on

the green in England, so we know he can handle the grass, and his sprint speed

suggests that he won't be outrun early beneath Eibar Coa. We'll use the

Kentucky-bred in the exotics.

LIME RICKEY (Lemon Drop Kid) loves firm turf and had a sharp prep win in

advance of this, and the Frank Alexander trainee rates as a in-the-money (ITM)

threat. The late-running bay has never registered a BRIS Speed rating better

than 89, but he always seems to hit the board (ITM in nine of 10 turf outings)

and should get a fast early tempo at which to run at.

DESPITE THE ODDS (Speightstown) was outclassed in the Hirsch Jacobs S. (G3)

last out and will make his turf bow in here for Michael Trombetta. The talented

gray looked the part in his first two starts and does have some turf breeding,

with his dam producing three other grass winners, so it's possible that he can

get a piece against this strong group at a nice price. FLORENTINO (Jpn) (Swept

Overboard) stayed on stubbornly for third in the Transylvania S. (G3) last out

and appears to be yet another strong factor in the early going in this tilt. The

sophomore is clearly better on the weeds but will likely have to clear this

field early to have a winning chance.

RENDEZVOUS (Victory Gallop) ran a nice race versus elders in his second

career turf test and could be a sneaky exotics player for Jerry Hollendorfer.

The Kentucky-bred looks a cut below the best in here but remains a late-running

contender for a small piece. HEROS IMAGE (Partner's Hero) was a decent third in

the Woodlawn, but we don't see the dark bay as much more than a pace presence in

this field.

DUBINSKY (Toccet), who is entered for the main-track only, is a consistent

colt who has responded to the switch to Richard Dutrow nicely. The chestnut will

be tough to handle if the race is transferred.