Mint Julep

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Seven turf distaffers are set for Saturday's Mint Julep H. (G3) at Churchill

Downs and there is little early speed in the one-mile affair. The turf should

have plenty of give to it following a couple of rainy days in Louisville,

Kentucky.

PRETTY JANE (Subordination) has never won over an off course, but her sire

could handle any kind of ground, capturing the 1997 Hollywood Derby (G1) over

yielding turf. A decent performer last year, Pretty Jane has displayed much

better form at four for trainer Eduardo Caramori and can utilize her tactical

speed to record her first stakes victory. A good third after setting the pace in

the 1 1/2-mile Orchid H. (G2) two starts back, the dark bay miss prefers shorter

distances and received a solid prep for this race nine days ago, finishing a

close fourth against a tough optional-claiming field at Churchill. We'll look

for Pretty Jane to improve off that effort with a front-running score under John

McKee.

SHACONAGE (El Prado [Ire]) is a two-time Grade 3 winner over the course and

exits a strong effort in the Distaff Turf Mile (G3) on Derby Day in which she

missed by only a length to Miss Terrible (Arg) (Numerous). She catches a softer

field here, but the late-running miss comes up short quite often, finishing

third in her last three outings and in nearly 30 percent of her career starts.

The gray mare is winless from seven starts at the distance and figures to be

heavily bet in this spot. We'll use her on the bottom of the exotics.

DELTA PRINCESS (A.P. Indy) is another dedicated closer with the credentials

to claim top honors. The Bill Mott trainee has been earning outstanding BRIS

Late Pace ratings, and she closed a lot of ground to be second by only a length

to Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) in the Jenny Wiley S. (G3) most recently.

This will be her first start at Churchill, but the six-year-old mare has run

well over many different turf courses so far and relishes the distance

(16-9-3-0). Delta Princess should be finishing fast.

CAPE TOWN LASS (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) also won't have much pace to aid her

late rally, but the four-year-old brings encouraging form into this event and

takes a smart cutback in distance for trainer Paul McGee. We could see including

her in all gimmicks. DYNAMIC CAT (Dynaformer), another late runner, added Lasix

two starts back and has won her last two attempts going away. The Jonathan

Sheppard charge will be tested for class in her stakes bow, but the improving

four-year-old merits consideration for a top three placing.

SPARKLING HUMOR (Distorted Humor) comes off a solid performance over the

course, but the four-year-old has some class concerns in this spot. Her tactical

speed looks like an advantage, but we'll just watch to see how the dark bay lass

fares. ERHU (Tactical Speed) exits a dull showing over the course, and the

one-run competitor could leave herself with too much to do here.