New Orleans

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The $500,000 New Orleans H. (G2) drew 14 at Fair Grounds on Saturday, and

we're looking for an upset. SLEW'S TIZNOW (Tiznow) ships in from the West for

Doug O'Neill in hopes of reversing his form on the dirt and there is reason to

believe that he will. The four-year-old was a dominant maiden winner on the main

oval at Saratoga as a freshman and followed with a runner-up showing in the

Breeders' Futurity S. (G1). He's a dual stakes winner in 2008 and has excuses

for his last pair of defeats, where he was hung wide. Rafael Bejarano rides our top pick.

Two lengths are what stand between STAR GUITAR (Quiet American) and a perfect

mark from seven races for Albert Stall Jr. The Louisiana-bred four-year-old has

raced exclusively against state-bred foes in his career but his last two races

may have been his best and we'll use him to complete the exacta.

The Stall-trained

MY PAL CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) disappointed in a big way last out in the

Mineshaft H. (G3), but we're willing to give the Grade 2 victor another chance

from the widest post. The four-year-old has enjoyed success at this venue and he

could receive a nice trip tracking the pace on the outside. John Velazquez will

guide the contender.

Louisiana H. victor GOOD AND LUCKY (Wild Rush) was a very good second in the

Mineshaft most recently and has run three solid races in succession over

this oval for Josie Carroll. The gelded six-year-old is tactical and always has

something late, so we'll consider a most logical exotics threat.

Mineshaft star HONEST MAN (Unbridled's Song) could be on the verge of becoming

one of the top handicap horses in the United States for Larry Jones, but we feel that he

will be grossly overbet in this one and we'll take a chance with others. The

talented five-year-old is undoubtedly the horse to beat in here and his best

puts him in the winner's circle, but he's been a bit erratic in his career and

he's faced several small fields, and we like the depth of this group. Gabriel Saez will pilot the favorite.

WISHFUL TOMCAT (Tactical Cat) is the sleeper in here for Bobby Frankel. The

chestnut has excellent early speed and will likely be the early leader beneath

Victor Espinoza, so his fate depends on who goes with him and how swiftly they

travel early. The Empire State-bred would be no shock to win this, but the same

could be said of his chances of finishing in midpack.

MACHO AGAIN (Macho Uno) hasn't been to the winner's circle since bagging the Jim

Dandy S. (G2) last summer for Dallas Stewart, and we're not sure if the colt can

win this due to his current lack of form. The gray is good enough to get into

the top three with a strong showing, but he's another we'll play

against.

John B. Campbell H. winner RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) has earned BRIS Late Pace

numbers of 112, 116 and 128 in his last three tries, but his lack of early speed

makes him hard to back in such a bulky field. The Richard Small trainee has

never been better and will love the trip, but we don't expect him to pass 13

animals in the final stages of this one.

Sunshine Millions Classic winner IT'S A BIRD (Birdonthewire) has won three

black-type events since joining the Marty Wolfson barn and comes off a

career-best showing under today's pilot, Julien Leparoux. We're not confident

that the dark bay can take his show away from South Florida, but with that said,

we'll still use him in some exotics.

SECRET GETAWAY (Skip Away) had no chance to rally into the dawdling pace in

the Mineshaft last out, but the solid late runner has a chance at a

top-three placing if he has a swift pace to run into. The Michael Stidham pupil has won at the distance and has shown an obvious affinity for this

racetrack, and we like his chances to get a piece under Kent Desormeaux.

We've always liked DRY MARTINI (Slew Gin Fizz), and we see no reason why the

gray can't be in the mix late with something close to his best. The Grade 2

victor is one of many who would excel if a fast tempo should ensue, and he looks

playable under the guidance of Edgar Prado.

GOLDEN YANK (Yankee Gentleman) has strung together four solid races in

succession for Gary Thomas, but we're not sure if this is the right spot for the

gelded four-year-old.

BROTHERS NICHOLAS (Smart Strike) was a useful third in the Mineshaft but has yet

to prove that he is capable of toppling a bunch of this quality. EL CABALLO (El

Corredor) is really coming along nicely for Ralph Nicks in recent starts, but

still has a ways to go to topple this deep field.