New York BC J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

A field of eight will line up to contest the $250,000 New York Breeders' Cup

H. (G2) at Belmont Park on Saturday over 1 1/4 miles on the turf. ASI SIEMPRE

(El Prado [Ire]) will be looking to improve off a fourth in the Sheepshead Bay H.

(G2) last month. The four-year-old gray should welcome the extra distance,

winning the Prix Madam Jean Counurie in her only other start at 1 1/4 miles.

Prior to the Sheepshead Bay, the Patrick Biancone trainee had not missed the

board in four U.S. starts, running second when making her North American debut

in the Garden City Breeders' Cup S. (G1) and producing a win in the Valley View S. (G3). Kent Desormeaux will ride.

NOBLE STELLA (Ger) (Monsun) comes off a close second in the Sheepshead after leading for

the majority of that trip. She was not able to hold off the favored Honey Ryder

(Lasting Approval) that afternoon, but the Roger Attfield trainee's early speed

should benefit her here as she will not have much competition on the front end

after the break. Prior to her last start, the five-year-old dark bay wired the

Bewitch S. (G3), earning a

113 BRIS Late Pace rating. Given a similar trip by jockey Mike Smith, she's a

wire-to-wire threat.

SMART N CLASSY (Smart Strike) raced far back in the Gallorette H.

(G3) last time before rallying to finish a close fifth, and she closed to be a

solid second against Grade 1 winner Sweet Talker (Stormin

Fever) in her preceding race. She'll be be making her first start at Belmont Park, but

the Grade 3 winner has the back

class to get up for part. Jose Velez Jr. regains the mount.

Although having not seen the winner's circle since May of 2005, OMEYA (Chi) (Milt's

Overture) could have a shot here at long odds. The dark bay six-year-old is bred

to run all day and will not have a problem with 1 1/4 miles. Two starts back,

the Jonathan Sheppard-conditioned mare finished a solid third in the Beaugay H. (G3)

at Aqueduct against good company. She has excellent back speed,

earning a Late Pace rating of 124 versus allowance/optional claiming company in

March, and should be in the mix late. Jose Santos has the call.

DYNAMITE LASS (Dynaformer) is unsuccessful in two trips at Belmont, but her

form has been improving lately, capturing The Very One H. (G3) two starts back

and running fourth to Honey Ryder in the 1 1/2-mile Orchid H. (G3) most

recently, recording a career-best 104 BRIS Speed figure for the latter. The dark

bay four-year-old has been training very well of late and should be considered in the exotics.

ARGENTINA (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) has turned in a trio of decent outings since coming stateside

this year, her most recent being a solid third in the Gamely Breeders' Cup S. (G1).

Although questionable for the win, the Bobby Frankel trainee is always dangerous

and should be used for the gimmicks. ANGARA (GB) (Alzao) ran well last year,

winning the Beverly D. S. (G1), but has yet to impress us since moving to

the shedrow of Bill Mott this season. CHARMSIL (Silver Charm) has placed in all three

turf starts at Belmont, but she'll be facing a class check.