Louisville H.

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Saturday's Louisville H. (G3) attracted 11 runners for 1 1/2 miles over

Churchill Downs' turf, but there isn't much speed in the field. We think EAGLE POISE (Empire Maker)

will take advantage of the conditions and show the way early. Exquisitely bred

for the turf, the four-year-old has raced only twice over the sod, winning an

entry-level allowance at Woodbine last year in his last attempt, and we're

excited to see Bill Mott bring him back to the green. He'll bring solid form

into the Louisville, recording a close third following a front-running trip in

the 12-furlong Tokyo City

Cup H. (G3) at Santa Anita last time, and appears capable of setting soft early

fractions here beneath Jamie Theriot. We'll tab him for a wire-to-wire decision.

Defending champion BRASS HAT (Prized) will be rallying late under Calvin

Borel and deserves serious respect off his runner-up effort in the Elkhorn S.

(G2) at Keeneland. The Grade 1-winning gelding registered a 112 BRIS Late Pace

rating last time and can still bring it despite his advanced age (nine), but

this race doesn't set up well for the confirmed closer. We'll still use the Buff

Bradley charge in second.

Grade 1 winner TELLING (A.P. Indy) is eligible to improve off a tightener in

his seasonal bow last time. A fast-finishing third in the 2008 River City H.

(G3) at Churchill, the six-year-old appears to like the local course and owns good tactical

speed. The Steve Hobby runner should sit a good stalking trip from post 3 with

jockey Shaun Bridgmohan and we'll use him in our top three.

BEARPATH (Dynaformer) experienced a troubled trip when seventh in the Elkhorn

last time and merits consideration for a minor award here. An upset winner of

the Pan American S. (G3) two back, the four-year-old has improved since stretching out to longer distances four starts back

for Ian Wilkes,

garnering BRIS Late Pace ratings of 111 and 109 in a couple of efforts. We'll

include him on some tickets.

Steeplechaser SPY IN THE SKY (Thunder Gulch) loves a route of ground and has

run well in his last three "flat" starts for trainer James Day. He's facing a

stiff class check here, but we're intrigued by his good current form and can't

dismiss him from exotics consideration. BLUSHING BEAR (Rahy) will enter on the

upswing for James Dodgen, registering triple-digit Late Pace numbers

in his last two attempts, but he was unplaced in two maiden attempts over the

Churchill turf last fall. He's eligible to outperform our expectations, but

we'll let him beat us.

Three-time champion SILVERFOOT (With Approval) loves the local sod but may

have lost a step or two at 10. We'll just watch. SILVER MOUNTAIN (Victory

Gallop) owns some back class but doesn't look sharp enough to challenge. FREE

FIGHTER (Out of Place) exits a couple of disappointing efforts and we'll look

forward to his return to Illinois-bred competition. MARCH TO VICTORY (Dixieland

Band) defeated claiming rivals two back and will probably find this company too

difficult. HIDDEN GLANCE (Kingmambo) hasn't won since 2008 and will make his

stakes bow from post 11 with an 11-race losing skein in tow.