Orchid

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of eight has been assembled for Sunday's $150,000 Orchid S. (G3) at

Gulfstream Park, and CRITICISM (GB) (Machiavellian) is looking for her third

straight graded score. The Tom Albertrani-trained five-year-old rounded out 2008

with a one-length victory in the Long Island H. (G3) and opened 2009 with a

front-running, 2 1/2-length score in The Very One S. (G3). The Long Island came

at Sunday's distance of 1 1/2 miles, and Criticism gained experience over the

track with her The Very One win. Edgar Prado should be able to guide the bay

mare to yet another victory.

DRESS REHEARSAL (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) was second in The Very One last out in

just her second U.S. start. The Irish listed winner opened her stateside

campaign with an allowance/optional claiming score at Tampa Bay Downs in

mid-January, and will be looking to turn the tables on Criticism in this one.

Trained by Bill Mott, the bay lass has been training well in preparation for

this showdown, but we think she'll be filling out the place spot once again.

Kent Desormeaux retains the mount.

LAMENTATION (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) was an easy winner of a 12-furlong

allowance at Gulfstream prior to finishing fifth while going 1 3/8 miles in The

Very One last out. The five-year-old chestnut made her U.S. bow a runner-up

effort in the 1 1/2-mile La Prevoyante H. (G2) in mid-December, and could

challenge for the win while returning to a distance she seems to prefer. Rene

Douglas, aboard for all three starts since Lamentation transferred to Christophe

Clement, returns to the saddle.

PASTEL GAL (Lemon Drop Kid) has experience winning on Gulfstream's turf, but

hasn't gone farther than nine furlongs in her career. However, the rest of the

Orchid competition aren't exactly experts going 1 1/2 miles, so the dark bay

mare could find herself earning a spot in the top three with Jose Lezcano

holding the reins.

The only win EMPIRESS (Empire Maker) has earned came when she broke her

maiden at Churchill Downs in November. She's been close in a couple of starts

since then and could take home a check here if she gets a clean break. FAVORITE

FANTASY (Richter Scale) was a nice fourth against allowances rivals while going

off at 90-1, and could offer value in the bottom of the gimmicks once again.

JULIA TUTTLE (Giant's Causeway) probably needs less distance to have a shot

at a placing. LAGUNA PLATEADA (Chi) (Sir Cat) appears out of her class against

these. We can't recommend either one.