Rebel

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The anticipated showdown between AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet), ROCKPORT

HARBOR (Unbridled's Song) and GREATER GOOD (Intidab) takes place in Saturday's

$250,000 Rebel S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park and a case can be made for all three. However, Afleet

Alex owns the best BRIS Speed ratings and rates top billing.

The Tim Ritchey trainee got a useful tightener over the track two weeks back

in the six-furlong Mountain Valley S., closing from off the pace for an easy 2

3/4-length decision that earned him a 105 BRIS Speed rating. Afleet Alex

finished a fine second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), missing by only three

parts of a length following a wide trip, in his first start around two turns and

8 1/2 furlongs should be no problem for the talented bay colt. He should be able

to save some ground into the first turn from his rail post and looks difficult

to deny here.

Greater Good showed an affinity for the track when overcoming a bad start to

easily capture the one-mile Southwest S. in his seasonal bow, and the Bob

Holthus-trained colt typically earns huge BRIS Late Pace ratings, getting a 107

when capturing the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at this distance in his final

juvenile appearance. The late runner can make up a lot of ground quickly on the

far turn and should be in the picture when the field straightens for home. We

wouldn't be surprised to Greater Good run past everybody in deep stretch, but we

don't believe he'll get our top pick.

Rockport Harbor will show the way early under Stewart Elliott and must be

respected off his juvenile form, but the gray colt has battled foot problems in

recent weeks and will be spotting fitness to his top rivals off a 112-day

layoff. The unbeaten sophomore has proven extremely game, winning the 1 1/8-mile

Remsen S. (G2) after suffering a gash to his leg, but Rockport Harbor appears

vulnerable in this spot.

BATSON CHALLENGE (Ide), who comes off a solid allowance score at Oaklawn,

could add to the pace and is a threat to hang around for a small share if one of

the top three falters. JAZZY GALLOP (Victory Gallop) steps up off a couple of

wins at Fair Grounds and could prove to be a nice individual for trainer Steve

Asmussen. However, this looks like a learning experience for the untested colt.

COPY MY NOTES (Souvenir Copy) will need to improve significantly to be a factor.