Miss Preakness

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The Todd Pletcher-trained PASSION (Came Home) will lead a field of eight to

post in Friday's Miss Preakness S. (G3) at Pimlico, and she looks

formidable to us in this spot. The talented sophomore miss dusted foes in her

juvenile debut and followed that with a third-place effort in the Adirondack S.

(G2) prior to a poor showing in the Spinaway S. (G1) in her freshman finale.

The dark bay began her season with a pair of grass sprints, taking down

the La Habra S. (G3), and exits a solid third-place finish in the Beaumont S.

(G2) over Keeneland's Polytrack. The Kentucky-bred has plenty of early gas, is

proven over numerous surfaces, and has trained well in advance of this. John

Velazquez has the call.

PALANKA CITY (Carson City) has shown vast improvement in her last pair of

outings, including a four-length dusting in the Prima Donna S. at Oaklawn Park.

The Terry Gestes charge has good tactical speed and was flattered when the

third-place finisher in her last aired at Delaware on Tuesday, so this one looks

live beneath Chris Emigh.

The speedy CASANOVA KILLER (Storm Boot) has a lot of early speed and is well

drawn on the rail, so the Steve Klesaris trainee could hang around for a placing

with slight improvement. Purchased privately following an 11 1/2-length romp at

Hawthorne in December, the dark bay could be poised for a breakthrough

performance under the guidance of Jeremy Rose.

HADAVISION (Vision and Verse) made a smart debut for the Mark Shuman barn

last out, taking the Peach Blossom S. at Delaware Park. The

Kentucky-bred could improve off her last, making her second start off the

lengthy break, but she still might be a bit slower than many of her rivals. We only

suggest her for the gimmicks, even with Ramon Dominguez aboard.

BEAU'S VALENTINE (Alphabet Soup) has displayed excellent sprinting ability

out west. The chestnut

has faced claiming fields almost exclusively, and although this group is not the

strongest ever assembled, we'd like to think that most of these are more capable

than her. KOSMO'S BUDDY (Outflanker) has placed in six black-type events for

Timothy Salzman without breaking through with a score, but a good trip right off

the early tempo could find her taking the lead turning for home. With that said,

it's difficult to back a runner who has settled for so many minor awards.

STORY OF A LION (Lion Hearted) looks overmatched and is poorly drawn on the

outside. PEISINOE (Yes It's True) contested the Railbird S. (G3) at Hollywood

Park on Sunday for Paddy Gallagher, finishing sixth after setting the pace, and

this could be too much too soon.