Razorback

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A contentious group will line up for Saturday's $150,000 Razorback H. (G3) at

Oaklawn Park. A case can be made for several of the entrants, but ZANJERO

(Cherokee Run) stands out on class. The dark bay colt was a major player on the

road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) a year ago, running third in the Risen Star S.

(G3), Louisiana Derby (G2) and Blue Grass S. (G1), before finishing a troubled

12th in the Run for the Roses. After finishing a close second to Chelokee

(Cherokee Run) in the Northern Dancer S. (G3), Zanjero captured the lucrative

West Virginia Derby (G3) and concluded his three-year-old campaign with a

resounding 3 1/2-length victory in the Indiana Derby (G2). The Steve Asmussen

trainee recently worked in company with Risen Star winner and Louisiana Derby

favorite Pyro (Pulpit) and has shown the ability in the past to stay relatively close to the

early pace. Zanjero figures to get first run under top weight of 118

pounds and should be hard to deny as the likely favorite.

How the early pace unfolds, however, will depend on whether or not SPOTSGONE

(Bright Launch) runs in the 1 1/16-mile event. His trainer, Jinks Fires, said

the five-year-old is dealing with a foot bruise and may be withdrawn. If so,

JONESBORO (Sefapiano) would be the lone, controlling speed. The Randy Morse

trainee chased Spotsgone all the way around in the Essex H. at this track and

trip in his last start and will be reunited with Calvin Borel. Jonesboro has

posted back-to-back bullets since then and looms as the one to catch if

Spotsgone scratches.

GOULDINGS GREEN (Charismatic) finished a closing third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths,

in the Essex. In his previous start, the chestnut battled to the wire with

Spotsgone, finishing a close second in a one-mile allowance race over this

surface in his seasonal debut. The Tony Reinstedler trainee has plenty of back class and

has yet to finish out of the money at this track or distance. He is well drawn

on the outside for a stalk-and-pounce trip and must be respected.

Spotsgone will be

seeking his third consecutive victory after proving to be a game, front-running

winner in his first two starts this year. The bay probably is the fastest early

speed horse in the race, but our concern is that he may not be 100 percent. If

he runs, Spotsgone will be one tough competitor. Mixed feelings.

After being sold and transferred to conditioner Steve Asmussen, ENCAUSTIC

(Broad Brush) finished a decent fifth to Grasshopper (Dixie Union) in the

Mineshaft H. (G3) at Fair Grounds last out. The bay colt projects a forwardly

placed trip and has some upset potential. GOING BALLISTIC (Lite the Fuse)

defeated Grasshopper in the Super Derby (G2) with a last-to-first rally, but

most recently was eased in the Sunshine Millions Classic on Santa Anita's

Cushion Track. He has

worked well since and could surprise. The Bobby Frankel-trained RACKETEER

(Awesome Again) has been finishing on the fringes against Grade 2 company at

Santa Anita of late and is hard to gauge.

PROM SHOES (Include), also trained by Fires, finished a distant,

non-threatening fifth in the Essex. He would need to improve significantly to

factor here.