Poker

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of eight will line up Sunday for the $100,000 Poker H. (G3) at

Belmont Park with one main-track only entrant waiting at the ready. MR. LIGHT

(Arg)

(Numerous) has shown improving form this season, winning an allowance and

the Appleton H. (G3) before coming home fourth in the Maker's Mark Mile S. (G2)

after being steadied around the first turn. In each of the three races, the

six-year-old has earned increasing BRIS Speed figures, posting a career high 105

in the Maker's Mark. Mr. Light has proved effective at the Poker's distance,

winning four of five tries at one mile on the turf, and will be coming off a

freshening for this one. Trainer Angel Penna Jr. will lift Cornelio

Velasquez in the saddle.

ECCLESIASTIC (Pulpit) comes off a close victory in the Jaipur H. (G3), where

he earned a career high 110 Speed figure. Since moving to the shedrow of Allen

Jerkens this spring, the four-year-old colt has hit the board in all three of

his outings. The bay proved he is ready for this one when smoking four

furlongs on Friday in :47 1/5. Javier Castellano will pick up the mount from

Velasquez.

TRADE FAIR (GB) (Zafonic) has been impressive since making his first start

stateside this March. Although he has yet to hit the board, the Bobby Frankel

trainee has been improving, earning a solid fourth in the Jaipur and

consistently posting improving Speed figures, taking home triple-digit numbers

in his last two outings.

L'OISEAU D'ARGENT (Silver Hawk) likes to get out in front early and has had

numerous achievements with this running style. He'll face pressure on the front

end, but the Kiaran McLaughlin-conditioned chestnut

will be dropping back in distance here and could hold on for part if not all.

WILLARD STRAIGHT (Lion Cavern) is very much at home over this course and

distance, winning two of four at the Elmont, New York, track and scoring three

victories in four starts at one mile. The five-year-old exits a second-place

finish to L'Oiseau D'Argent versus optional-claiming company and trainer Todd

Pletcher should have him ready to go for this one. GULCH APPROVAL (Gulch) will

probably try to challenge on the front end as he did in the Jaipur, eventually

finishing third in that one. The five-year-old gelding has placed in his last

three starts, earning century-topping Speed ratings for all three contests. His

opponents are certainly in his class range and he could challenge for part.

REMIND (Deputy Minister) will be making his first start over the Belmont

course, but trainer Bill Mott has been doing well of late, winning four of his

last 10. Remind could wind up on the board with good closing speed.

SEEKING THE GLORY (A.P. Indy) has faced allowance company for much of his career and came home fifth, 12 lengths back in his graded bow in May

after some bumping in the stretch. He only has one turf start under his belt and

could need one before facing this field.

AGGADAN (Carnivalay) is listed for the main track only. If the race is taken

off the turf, he will likely be the favorite, as he fares well on off tracks

(5-2-1-0). The six-year-old chestnut finished a disappointing sixth last out in

the True North Breeders' Cup H. (G2) for trainer Juan Rodriguez, who took over

for Richard Dutrow, after some bumping at the start of that race.