Preakness undercard attracts plenty of notables

A baker's dozen will line up in Saturday's $200,000

Dixie S.

(G2), a 1 1/8-mile feature on Pimlico's turf course which highlights the

Preakness Day undercard. Favoritism will likely fall on JUST AS WELL (A.P.

Indy), the Jonathan Sheppard-trained seven-year-old who was elevated to first in

the Northern Dancer Turf S. (Can-G1) last September before going unplaced in

both the Canadian International (Can-G1) and Japan Cup (Jpn-G1).

Prior to his winning trip at Woodbine, Just as Well had run a close second in

the Dixie, won the Arlington H. (G3), and finished a strong second to eventual

divisional champion Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in the Arlington Million (G1).

The dark bay enters the Dixie off a get-fit fourth in the Ben Ali S. (G3) in his

first race over Polytrack.

STRIKE A DEAL (Smart Strike), who last visited the winner's circle following

the 2008 Red Smith H. (G2), endured a brief campaign of only three starts last

season. He was unplaced in every one, including the Dixie, and might be in need

of a race following a layoff of more than 10 months. WESLEY (El Prado [Ire]),

the 2009 Dixie third-placer, is a Grade 2 veteran who enters off a fourth in the

Maker's Mark Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland, while River City H. (G3) upsetter RAHYSTRADA

(Rahy) was a solid third behind Karelian (Bertrando) and Gio Ponti in the Tampa

Bay S. prior to an allowance score at Keeneland last month.

Sheppard will also have the favorite in the $100,000

Gallorette H. (G3), a 1 1/16-mile turf event for fillies and mares. RAINBOW

VIEW (Dynaformer), the multiple Group 1 winner who was named champion juvenile

filly in Europe in 2008, enters off a highly impressive allowance win at

Keeneland last month. Second in the E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) in her North

American debut last fall, the bay not surprisingly failed to run up to her best

form on Pro-Ride when fifth in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) two back.

Irish Group 3 winner AVE (GB) (Danehill Dancer) will make her U.S. debut in

the Gallorette for Roger Attfield. Up the track in the Pride S. (Eng-G2) at

Newmarket when last seen in October, the four-year-old adds Lasix for her first

attempt on American soil. PAYTON D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro), who captured the

Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) at this time a year ago, will make her turf debut in a

tough spot. However, the Cindy Jones trainee has posted two bullet works at

Delaware Park since taking the Bayakoa S. at Oaklawn Park.

Arguably more likely to make an impact are SHARED ACCOUNT (Pleasantly

Perfect), runner-up in the Garden City S. (G1) and Queen Elizabeth II Challenge

Cup (G1) last fall following a win in the Lake Placid S. (G2); QUIET MEADOW (El

Prado [Ire]), who twice missed in photos at the Grade 3 level last season; and

last year's Virginia Oaks (G3) heroine BLIND DATE (Not for Love).

BULLSBAY (Tiznow), the 2009 Whitney H. (G1) hero who turned in an

inexplicable dud two weeks ago in the Alysheba S. (G3), is being wheeled back on

short rest by trainer Graham Motion. The six-year-old trailed the field of nine

in the Alysheba, and will be joined here by that race's runner-up FLYING PRIVATE

(Fusaichi Pegasus). Others of interest are NO ADVANTAGE (Posse), who won this

race last year; Stymie S. winner UNDERSTATEMENT (Distorted Humor); and local

stakes winner INDIAN DANCE (Indian Charlie).

The top three finishers from last year's

Maryland

Sprint H. (G3) -- RAVALO (Mutakddim), SILVER EDITION (Silver Deputy) and

CELTIC INNIS (Yarrow Brae) -- return for Saturday's $100,000 renewal over six

furlongs. A couple who might surprise the aging trio are Grade 3-placed

SNAPSHOT (Awesome Again) and Maryland Million Sprint winner ROARING LION

(Lion Hearted).