Hutcheson

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The Hutcheson S. (G2), at the tricky distance of 7 1/2 furlongs, is a very

competitive affair. There is plenty of speed present, and any number of these could win, but we're going to

give a slight nod to the unbeaten SPIN MASTER (Distorted Humor).

Trained by Dale Romans, Spin Master was very impressive in his February 3 seasonal debut

going seven furlongs over this surface. The bay colt showed good

speed on his own volition, dueled for the lead along the rail down the

backstretch, was headed on the turn while under confident handling, quickly

burst clear when given the signal turning for home, then edged away under a hand

ride to defeat the highly regarded Soaring By (Deputy Minister) by 1 1/4

lengths. While we are a little concerned about his lack of works since then (one

half-mile move in :47 3/5 at Palm Meadows on February 21), we liked his

instant response and push-button acceleration in his most recent start. Spin

Master should offer good value and is a good one to use in the vertical exotics.

The Nick Zito-trained FOREFATHERS (Gone West) dueled from between horses down

the backstretch, then on the outside of Fountain of Youth S. (G2) entrant Adore

the Gold (Formal Gold) around the turn, before finishing gamely for runner-up

honors to that rival in the 6 1/2-furlong Swale S. (G2) in his seasonal debut.

The bay colt has quality and figures to be forwardly placed along the inside

from the rail post. He should be a player for an in-the-money finish.

STORM IN MAY (Tiger Ridge), who switched back from the turf and rallied from

far back to win the Sunshine Millions Dash S. in his last start, is our

price-play special. The gray colt quickly dropped back in the Sunshine Millions

Dash, saved ground around the turn, angled out in upper stretch, then closed

well to defeat Idiot Proof (Benchmark) by 1 1/4 lengths and Texas Voyager (Texas Glitter)

by 2 3/4 lengths. Storm in May could pick up some of the pieces in this spot with

similar tactics.

OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place), one of three trained by Todd Pletcher, showed

good speed, dropped back quickly near the half-mile pole, angled to the outside

turning for home, then finished decently for second behind Buffalo Man (El Prado

[Ire]) in the six-furlong Spectacular Bid S. on January 7. The chestnut did not

reappear on the worktab for nearly a month afterward and we're concerned with

his outside draw. Out of Gwedda is the choice of stable rider John Velazquez, so

he merits respect. Futurity S. (G2) winner KING OF THE ROXY (Littleexpectations)

has not started since getting the double shuffle on the first turn in the

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last November. The Pletcher charge has been

working right along for his return to action and should offer square odds under

Edgar Prado. AIR LORD (Stormin Fever), the final member of the Pletcher trio,

finished a one-paced second as the favorite to Adore the Gold in the 1 1/16-mile

Dover S. in his juvenile finale. He likely will try to rally

from far off the pace and has some upset potential beneath Chris DeCarlo.

BOLD START (Jump Start) attended the early running from the outside, then was

hung four wide around the turn, before fading to a distant sixth in the one-mile

Holy Bull S. (G3) last out. The Kenny McPeek-trained colt drilled four furlongs

in a quick :46 3/5 at Palm Meadows on February 17 and could improve with the

addition of blinkers. REATA'S ROCKET (Cape Canaveral) was out-footed early,

advanced four or five wide into and around the turn, then ended a diminishing

fourth in the Swale. The chestnut suffered a wide trip and has a license to

rebound with an improved effort. Both Bold Start and Reata's Rocket should be

considered at a price.

FINALLYMADEIT (Concerto) has good early speed but is in over his head with

these.