Noble Damsel

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $150,000 Noble Damsel H. (G3) features a well-matched field of

turf distaffers. Thirteen have been entered for the one-mile affair, but only 12

will be allowed to start over the Widener Turf Course at Belmont Park. We're

going to search for some value.

BRIGHT ABUNDANCE (Quiet American) is two for two over the course and has

recorded 112 and 107 BRIS Late Pace ratings in her last two starts at Monmouth Park

and Saratoga. She's been squaring off against stakes rivals in her last four

starts and has held her own in three of those starts, recording a win and two

close seconds. She's run her best races over the course and can carve out a

perfect trip from her inside post with her tactical speed. Trained by Christophe

Clement, the four-year-old filly won't go off at her 15-1 morning line odds, but

she'll still probably be a little overlooked in the wagering.

MY LORDSHIP (Lord Avie) just missed in a division of the De La Rose S. at

Saratoga last out, finishing second by a neck, and recorded a fine 103 BRIS

Speed rating. She captured the Voodoo Dancer H. when making her Belmont debut in

May, earning century-topping Speed and Late Pace numbers, and she's trained

forwardly for this appearance for Bill Mott. The hot-riding Jerry Bailey has the

mount, and My Lordship is a serious threat from just off the pace.

CLOAKOF VAGUENESS (El Prado [Ire]) captured the stronger division of the De

La Rose and is perfect at the distance (two for two) and at Belmont (one for

one). Trained by Philip Hauswald, the gray mare was no match for the classy

Alinghi (Aus) (Encosta de Lago) last time, but she still finished a respectable

sixth (beaten five lengths) and finds a much easier spot on Saturday.

PATH OF THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) captured the other division of the De La Rose

and will be making her first appearance on the grass at Belmont. The Todd

Pletcher charge must be respected for the top three, but she might prefer a little

more ground and we'll just use her on the bottom of some exotics.

STUPENDOUS MISS (Dynaformer) has shown a good turn of foot in the past but

enters off a dreadful performance in the Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup H. (G3). The

turf was good that afternoon and the four-year-old could bounce back with a much-improved showing over the firm ground at Belmont, but a mile doesn't look like

her optimal distance. GIVERMORE (Brz) (Special Nash [Ire]) is an intriguing prospect

for the gimmicks at long odds. Trained by the relatively unknown Roger Horgan,

the chestnut miss will be forwardly placed early and could possibly grab part

from off the pace.

STORMINA (Gulch) is on the also-eligibles list and will be making her U.S.

bow if she draws in. The sophomore filly is Group 2-placed this season and has

kept good company overseas, so consider for the top three if she makes the race.

ASTI (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) enters off a couple of encouraging efforts versus

allowance rivals, but the maiden winner might not be fast enough to make much of

a dent here.

RIVER BELLE (GB) (Lahib) showed decent form last season, but she's unplaced

from four attempts in 2005 and we would need to see more before backing her.

FORTUNATE DAMSEL (Runaway Groom) returns from a freshening for trainer Billy

Turner, but her recent form isn't good enough for us to recommend her chances.

LENTIL (Alphabet Soup) will show speed, but the gray mare will probably have a

difficult time sustaining it. HUMORISTIC (Sefapiano) will need to improve

significantly to be a factor. SABELLINA (Langfuhr) probably needs an easier spot

to be competitive.