Holy Bull

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A fine field of nine Kentucky Derby (G1) prospects will go in the $150,000

Holy Bull S. (G3) on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

We like Champagne S. (G1) victor HOMEBOYKRIS (Roman Ruler) and expect him to

reward his backers with a useful payoff beneath Edgar Prado. The inexpensive

two-year-old purchase turned heads with an excellent maiden conquer in July and

followed that up with a measured tally in the Champagne in his first try for

Richard Dutrow, earning a 100 BRIS Speed rating. We'll excuse the gelding for

tiring late in the Remsen S. (G2) in his freshman finale and expect the return

to one-turn racing to do the trick.

Florida Stallion Series sweeper JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) has won five in

succession and will make his first start for Nick Zito in this event. The

chestnut Florida-bred has been a model of consistency in his career to this

point, earning at least a 92 BRIS Speed number in each start of his lifetime,

including a career-best 106 for his convincing victory in the Affirmed division two

starts back. The accomplished runner has been working up a storm and could

benefit from the outside post with his handy speed. Jeremy Rose will pick up the

mount on the win threat.

Dual Grade 1-placed AIKENITE (Yes It's True) seemingly picked a perfect spot

to kick off his sophomore campaign for trainer Todd Pletcher, and his best could

be good enough on this occasion. A debut win was followed by a rallying third in

the Hopeful S. (G1) and a rapidly closing second in the Breeders' Futurity (G1),

prior to concluding his juvenile season with a useful fifth in the Breeders' Cup

Juvenile (G1). The dark bay colt has good tactical speed and always saves a

punch for the end, so we consider him a win candidate beneath John Velazquez.

THANK U PHILIPPE (Proud Accolade) drew the rail in this one-turn mile event

and could show enhanced speed with the addition of blinkers for trainer Marty

Wolfson. Five times second from eight races, the Florida-bred was a closing

second to a nice one in a prep for this and could take advantage of a lack of

pace in this field beneath Eddie Castro.

Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) runner-up WILLIAM'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) has

earned 95 and 109 BRIS Late Pace numbers in his two dirt tries, and while we

don't see him winning this race from off the pace, his late kick could parlay

into a minor share for conditioner Mike Maker. Delta Jackpot S. (G3) fourth

LITIGATION RISK (Closing Argument) earned a strong 95 BRIS Speed number for his

maiden tally at Belmont but didn't handle the horrific weather in Louisiana last

out. The Florida-bred is firing bullets in the morning and retains pilot Alan

Garcia, so it's not out of the question that the longshot gets a small share at

a big price.

PISCITELLI (Victory Gallop) nearly pulled off a monstrous upset in the

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) when finishing fourth, beaten less than one length

for the top prize. The talented Richard Sacco pupil has held well versus top

company, both on dirt and synthetic ovals, but a one-turn mile doesn't seem to

be his calling. We'll tab the Kentucky-bred for future successes at longer

trips. WINSLOW HOMER (Unbridled's Song) has improved rapidly for trainer Tony

Dutrow, breaking his maiden and dominating a subsequent allowance group at

Philly Park in a fast time in his last pair. The Kentucky-bred gray could make

us eat our words, but we feel that he's topped a pair of suspect fields and will

let him beat us in here with Ramon Dominguez. The Michael Trombetta-trained WILD

LIME (Limehouse) finished sixth at Tampa last out and will need infinitely

better to challenge this field.