Lane's End

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $500,000 Lane's End S. (G2) at Turfway Park sets up for a closer. San Rafael S.

(G2) winner SPANISH CHESTNUT (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) is the 5-2 favorite on the

morning line, but the confirmed speedball is stuck in an outside post with

plenty of speed to his inside. He'll have to be flying from the start to clear

horses into the first turn or risk getting caught wide. We'll look for a horse

from off the pace.

ANDROMEDA'S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) looks like the beneficiary of a contested

battle up front. The chestnut colt comes off a terrific performance at Tampa Bay

Downs where he overcame an extremely wide trip into the first turn and was then

bumped hard approaching the backstretch in his stakes bow. Trouble didn't end at

that point as jockey Rafael Bejarano was forced to check entering the far turn

and Andromeda's Hero didn't get clear sailing until midstretch. He took after

the leader at that point and went flying past under the wire, winning by 2 1/4

lengths and looking like he wanted more ground than 8 1/2 furlongs. His BRIS

Speed rating wasn't all that impressive (92), but it would probably have been much higher

with a cleaner trip. Andromeda's Hero is coming to hand at the right time of the

year for trainer Nick Zito and has the opportunity to record his first graded

victory with a strong late rally.

WILD DESERT (Wild Rush) holds appeal for the exotics at long odds. He offered

a solid run to grab third in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) and then opened

his sophomore campaign with a decent fifth in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) last

out, earning a career best Speed rating (99). The late-running colt received

BRIS Late Pace ratings of 106 and 105 for his last two races, and he's eligible

to improve off his first start of the season. Wild Desert could offer a

challenge for it all under Robby Albarado.

MAYAN KING (Stephen Got Even) could be any kind for conditioner Gary Contessa,

but he will definitely be tested for class in this spot. The colt did receive a

solid 97 Speed figure for his maiden win and a 101 when defeating allowance

rivals in his second career start, but those races came over the inner track at

Aqueduct against inferior company. The unbeaten chestnut did win both races

easily, is bred to love the added ground here, and figures to

enjoy a good stalking trip under Joe Bravo. We'll look for a good performance

that nets a top three finish.

MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades) showed an affinity for Turfway when capturing

the John Battaglia Memorial S. and was flattered when the runner-up returned to

turn in a huge performance in the Gotham S. (G3). However, nine furlongs might

not be his optimum distance and Magna Graduate does his best running on the

front end. If new jockey Jerry Bailey can settle his charge, Magna Graduate

could fall into a good trip that leaves him contending for it all at the top of

the stretch. We'll use him in some bets, but the Pat Byrne trainee isn't

enticing to us at his 3-1 morning-line price.

Spanish Chestnut's speed can't be dismissed, but his San Rafael victory did

come at a mile and the chestnut tired badly upon reaching the top of the stretch

last time in the Santa Catalina S. (G2). Turfway does tend to be a

speed-favoring strip and Spanish Chestnut could possibly steal this event if

left unchallenged on the front end, but we don't envision that scenario taking

place. MR SWORD (Rizzi) brings encouraging form into his stakes bow and could

possibly have an effect from off the pace. We don't like his draw on the far

outside, but his Speed and Pace numbers merit respect and the bay colt is

improving for conditioner Jennifer Pedersen.

DIAMOND ISLE (Gilded Time) placed in the Cradle S. (G3) and Breeders'

Futurity (G1) following his maiden score last summer but has made only one

appearance this year, finishing fourth to the promising Noble Causeway (Giant's

Causeway) in a Gulfstream allowance. The Kenny McPeek trainee could move forward

off that start, but we want to see more first before endorsing his chances at

this level. FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor) is a promising colt from the Todd

Pletcher shedrow who will likely show speed on the stretch out. He earned a nice

101 Speed rating when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream last out, but this looks

like a learning experience for the chestnut. TEXCESS (In Excess [Ire]) gave up a

clear lead in the stretch of the San Mateo Mile S. at Bay Meadows in his

last start and probably doesn't want any part of the 1 1/8-mile distance here.