Jerome

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Anyone who saw DAAHER (Awesome Again) demolish older horses in an

allowance/optional claimer at Saratoga will find it difficult to go against him

in Sunday's $150,000 Jerome H. (G2) at Belmont. Sporting first-time blinkers

that day, the Kiaran McLaughlin sophomore zoomed straight to the front and

increased his advantage en route to a 13 3/4-length romp. Daaher earned a

stratospheric 110 BRIS Speed rating, but even more impressive was the fact that

he did it apparently in hand. The bay was decent before, finishing fourth in the

Queen's Plate S. and third in the Prince of Wales S., but he's taken his game to

a totally different level. The full brother to multiple Grade 1 heroine Spun

Sugar cuts back to a one-turn mile here, which shouldn't be an obstacle

considering that he broke his maiden easily going 1 1/16 miles at this track in

May. Mike Luzzi will be back aboard the Shadwell Stable colorbearer, who could

have too much firepower for his fellow three-year-olds to handle.

The Nick Zito-trained MOST DISTINGUISHED (Dixie Union) has the best resume,

boasting a score in the Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga and a runner-up effort to

Teuflesberg (Johannesburg) in the Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup S. (G2). He

wasn't disgraced when fifth in the King's Bishop S. (G1) after a bobble at the

break, and he will appreciate the class drop here. Most Distinguished has a

solid record both at Belmont (3-1-2-0) and at the distance (4-2-0-2). If Daaher

gets embroiled in a speed duel, Most Distinguished can pick up the pieces

beneath John Velazquez. His 5-1 morning-line odds are enticing.

VITRUVIUS (E Dubai) stamped himself as a smart prospect when capturing his

first two starts, but the half-brother to Metropolitan Mile (G1) hero Corinthian

(Pulpit) went to the sidelines with a virulent skin disease. Returning from a

near five-month layoff at the Spa, the Jimmy Jerkens pupil dropped out of

contention before rallying for second, beaten a half-length by OWNERS MANUAL

(Belong to Me) in that seven-furlong event. Vitruvius should move forward off

that effort, and we wouldn't be surprised if he begins to fulfill his vast

potential. On the other hand, he clearly has his quirks and could end up

offering little value. Eibar Coa picks up the mount.

Owners Manual also claims a win over the track, having rolled to a 3

1/2-length allowance/optional claiming tally here. While we're not sure that

he'll finish ahead of Vitruvius again, especially going an extra furlong, the

Bobby Frankel colt is a must-use in the gimmicks at 8-1 on the morning-line.

Reformed claimer STUNT MAN (Western Expression) enters on the heels of

consecutive stakes triumphs in the Albany S. versus state-breds and the More

Than Ready S. against solid open company. The Gary Contessa trainee could

contribute to healthy exotics at 10-1, but we don't envision him extending his

winning streak to three against this group. Swale S. (G2) runner-up FOREFATHERS

(Gone West) was sidelined for nearly six months, then reappeared for new conditioner

Bill Mott in a minor stakes at Meadowlands and finished an encouraging second.

Kent Desormeaux, who had been partnering Vitruvius, has opted to stick with

Forefathers. The bay could be dangerous if he returns to his early-season form,

but we'd prefer to give him a race back at this level.

DIGGER (Yonaguska) has been transformed into a brand new animal by Richard

Dutrow, and his upward trajectory could continue here. Still, this is a step up

from the Deputed Testamony S. for Maryland-breds, and he could be overbet.

Multiple New York-bred stakes winner CHIEF'S LAKE (Yonaguska) has chosen a tough

spot in his first try against open company.