Pilgrim

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Ten two-year-old turf hopefuls will vie in Sunday's $150,000 Pilgrim S. (G3)

on Belmont's Widener turf. We think that this one is all about INTERACTIF (Broken

Vow), who romped by 4 1/4 lengths in the With Anticipation S. (G3) last out.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the talented colt was awesome in his turf debut and

drew much praise from his jockey, Kent Desormeaux, following his graded win. The

freshman simply looks better than his foes and should deliver on an expected

short price.

WESTERN FLYER (More Than Ready) showed vast improvement in his second

lifetime go for Kiaran McLaughlin after he dusted a maiden field at Monmouth

Park. The Kentucky-bred earned a strong 96 BRIS Speed number for his win and

gives the impression that there is much more to offer, and we think that he's

the lone runner in this field who could give our top pick any trouble. Alan

Garcia has the assignment.

ESKENDEREYA (Giant's Causeway) was a closing second in a useful maiden voyage

for Pletcher and is now thrown into stakes company, a move which we like

due to the connections. The chestnut colt has a top-three chance with even minor

improvement.

PADDY O'PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) was a fast-closing second in a maiden tilt two

prior, and checked in an even third in the With Anticipation most recently for

Dale

Romans. The gray colt doesn't appear to be good enough to win this, but he could

rally for a minor award if the pace is swift. With Anticipation fourth DEAN'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) will need something

more

than we've seen from him to this point in order to be a factor late on this

occasion.

BILLIONS BOY (Johannesburg) has finished first or second in all three

career tries for John Kimmel, but the juvenile will need to improve his Speed

figures in order to be around in the latter stages today. We're always wary of trainer David Donk in spots like this, as he's produced

some huge prices over the years in turf stakes, but we can't rally around his New York-bred

SHRIMP DANCER (Kitten's Joy) at this stage of his growth. BRICKLAYER (El Corredor) hasn't shown us enough to consider backing against

these. MR. VEGAS (Freud) rolled home from far back to upend New York-bred foes

at first asking for Michael Hushion, but moving into open company while

stretching out to a route of ground seems like a lot to ask from the gelded

chestnut.

CHAIRMAN NOW (Tiznow) is entered for the dirt only, but we're not sure we'd

endorse him on the main strip. He hasn't looked all that impressive thus far for

conditioner Richard Violette.