Kentucky Jockey Club J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

The undefeated TIZ WONDERFUL (Tiznow) easily rates our top choice in

Saturday's Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs. The bay forced the

early issue before drawing off to a 12 1/2-length victory in his debut at

Saratoga, then dueled for the early lead before winning the one-mile Iroquois S.

(G3) by 6 3/4 lengths in 1:35 4/5 over this surface in late October. The Scott

Blasi trainee has yet to be really tested and could emerge from this 1 1/16-mile event as a

leading Triple Crown contender. Note that John Velazquez, who usually rides

first-call for trainer Todd Pletcher, has the mount.

The Patrick Biancone-trained WHAT A TALE (Tale of the Cat) broke his maiden

impressively against the bias on Polytrack at Keeneland, then rallied for

runner-up honors in the Iroquois. The dark bay is tactically drawn near the

outside for a stalk-and-pounce trip under Julien Leparoux and rates a contender.

Shipper GOING BALLISTIC (Lite the Fuse) is a seasoned route horse on both

dirt and turf and comes off a sharp 4 1/2-length score in the Remington Mile S.

A deep closer, the gray has excellent late speed and may add value in the

vertical exotics.

The Pletcher-trained ANY GIVEN SATURDAY (Distorted Humor), who will be ridden

by Rafael Bejarano, is undefeated in two career starts, both of which were on

Polytrack. The dark bay circled the field on the turn at Turfway Park, then did

basically the same thing in his two-turn debut at Keeneland. He must be

respected for a top-three placing. Kentucky Cup Juvenile S. (G3) winner U D

GHETTO (Honour and Glory) posed no threat in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) but

could earn a minor award with a return to form.

JOE GOT EVEN (Stephen Got Even) comes off back-to-back victories on Polytrack

and has the look of a useful off-the-pace sort. He will have to transfer his

form to the main track here, however. The speedy D. Wayne Lukas-trained STARBASE

(Tale of the Cat) attended the early running before holding on for third in the

Iroquois. He figures to go as far as he can on the front end.

DOMINICAN (El Corredor) broke his maiden on Polytrack at Keeneland, then

finished fourth against a good group of winners here last out. The Darrin

Miller-trained colt has some upset potential at large odds. MR BLACKSTONE (Sir

Cat) broke his maiden in his fifth start for a tag and would appear to be

overmatched.