Queens County

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An intriguing field of six will line up for the 102nd running of the Queens

County H. (G3) at Aqueduct. There is plenty of speed present in the 1 3/16-mile

inner track event, and Grade 1 veteran EVENING ATTIRE (Black Tie Affair

[Ire]), who likes to come running late, is both our sentimental and rational

choice.

Evening Attire, who will turn 10 on New Year's Day, won the Queens County as

a three-year-old, and finished second in this race at both five and six. The

Patrick Kelly trainee has a habit of breaking slowly, which he did in his last

start, but that could turn out to be an advantage in this spot. Like many times

in the past, Evening Attire hesitated at the start as if intentionally giving

the field a head start, then settled at the back of the field while being outrun

during the early stages of the Stuyvesant H. (G3). As usual, though, he came

flying in stretch, finishing third, 2 1/4 lengths adrift of HUNTING (Coronado's

Quest) in the 1 1/8-mile event. The gray, who excels on an off track, returns to

the inner track, where he has lit the board in eight of nine starts. Evening

Attire gets some extra yardage to work with and will be reunited with the

ever-capable Edgar Prado. As a result, it's impossible for us to pick against

him.

The rapidly improving Hunting, who closed determinedly for a one-length

victory in the Stuyvesant, is a top threat. The chestnut four-year-old put it

all together in his previous start, drawing off to a 4 1/2-length victory on a

sloppy, sealed track against second-level allowance foes at Monmouth Park.

Hunting, who could give trainer Shug McGaughey his fourth victory in this race,

would also benefit from a contested early pace. Despite picking up two pounds,

he figures to make his presence felt in the drive, and is our choice to complete

the exacta.

The remaining four horses likely will vie for the early lead, or attend the

early pace in a pressing/stalking position.

MARITAL ASSET (A.P. Indy) brings sharp form into this event, but will have to

stretch out another five-sixteenths of a mile after running seven furlongs in

1:21 2/5 twice versus allowance foes at Philadelphia Park. Our concern is that

he will start on the outside of the field, but he does drop nine pounds off his

most recent outing. He could stick around for a minor award with Ramon Dominguez

up.

BARCOLA (Old Trieste) could be the speed-of-the-speed and may try to take

these gate to wire. The Mark Hennig trainee won the 1 3/16-mile Kelso S. in

front-running fashion at Delaware Park two back and is a player for the

trifecta.

NKOSI REIGNS (Out of Place) may get sent from the rail after finishing a

distant fifth to Barcola in the Kelso. The Grade 3 winner would need a form

reversal to factor here. BARRACUDA BOY (Unbridled's Song) defeated lesser going

a mile in the off going at Laurel Park last out. He has some class questions and

is hard to recommend.