Perryville J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Eight three-year-olds will travel about seven furlongs on Keeneland's

Polytrack on Saturday to contest the $200,000 Perryville S. (G3) in hopes of

winning their initial stakes race. We'll side with morning-line choice LES GRANDS TROIS (Officer) from the barn of Bobby Frankel. A smashing nine-length

winner in his two-year-old debut at Belmont, the dark bay returned a winner in

his sophomore bow and followed that with a troubled third in the Bay Shore S.

(G3), in which the colt encountered numerous issues and did well to even hit the

board. The Kentucky-bred defeated a solid group of older allowance horses last out

and has the right running style for this race and surface. Kent Desormeaux will

pilot the 8-5 favorite.

DEMARCATION (Gulch) captured his lone start over this oval and should get a

swift pace at which to run, giving the impression of one who could hit the

board late over this biased surface. The Paul McGee pupil has been unplaced just

once in seven career starts, including placings in the Matt Winn S. and the recent

Honor Grades S. over the turf last out. The gelded bay will be moving late under

Garrett Gomez, and could win this with the right scenario.

SHREWD OPERATOR (Twining) has been simply dominant in his two lifetime tries

and could be any kind for conditioner Chris Block. The Illinois-bred raced

versus open company on both occasions over the Polytrack at Arlington and has yet to be

headed, winning by eight and 5 1/2 lengths, respectively. We expect a strong

early pace in here, but this one may be good enough to overcome it under Robby Albarado.

CHIHULYKEE (Mr. Greeley) has returned a new animal in 2007, streaking to a

trio of wins including two over the synthetic going. The Wayne Catalano charge

was comfortable in last two wins but steps up in class versus this group, and

his forwardly placed running style could be to his detriment in this spot. If

the chestnut could settle early, he is live for a top three placing beneath

Rafael Bejarano. Note that he is cross-entered to the grassy Bryan Station S.

here on Sunday.

STEVE'S DOUBLE (Stephen Got Even) registered a career-best effort in an

allowance win at Saratoga last out and could challenge these with a repeat

performance for Ronny Werner. The gelding earned a 100 BRIS Speed number for his

score at the Spa, eight points better than his previous best, so the possibility

of a slight regression is viable. The dark bay tired to third in his lone local

try and could be another in the early mix under Jamie Theriot. FRONT COURT (Doneraile Court) is a one-run closer who could hit the board in

this spot, but doesn't appear to possess the class to top this field. The Chris

Richard trainee sports three stakes placings, including a fast-closing third in

the Labor Day S. two back over the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs. Corey Lanerie will guide the

dark bay.

MORADA KEY (Carson City) resembles the aforementioned runner in his

late-running style but will need a little better than he has shown to impact

this group. THREE TWENTY THREE (Silver Charm) has had success in the allowance ranks at

Arlington and owns a maiden win over this oval, but he's another who does his running

on the front end and he could be fried late.