Regret

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Seven sophomore fillies will test the Churchill Downs lawn in the $200,000

Regret S. (G3) on Saturday. Grade 2 lass PURE CLAN (Pure Prize), who was third

as the 4-1 second choice in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) most recently, will likely go

favored in this nine-furlong affair, but her foes should not be taken lightly

and we'll try to upend the Bob Holthus trainee in here.

CLEARLY FOXY (Volponi) was a smart allowance winner in advance of this and

looks like the total package for trainer Mark Casse. The bay sophomore began her

career with two facile turf scores, including a 3 1/2-length romp in the Natalma

S. (Can-G3) last fall. An unplaced showing in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

(G1) ensued, and failed attempts over Polytrack and good turf preceded her

allowance win, in which she registered a BRIS Late Pace number of 111. The

Kentucky-bred has dominated three fields on the firm lawn and should get a nice

trip just off the early tempo in here. Shaun Bridgmohan has the assignment.

If you can muddle your way through the past performances of ABSOLUTELY

CINDY (Arch) and just focus on the grass starts, you'll find a pretty tough

customer with a strong late kick. Conditioned by Keith Kinmon, the bay miss

captured the Caressing H. over this course last fall and was a

better-than-it-looks seventh in the Appalachian S. (G3) in her last grassy

endeavor, a race in which she rallied well into a dawdling pace against a top

field. The bay could be hard pressed to deliver a win due to her lack of early

foot, but it would be hard to deny her a placing with her best.

Pure Clan has never lost on turf, winning her first two career starts over

the green, and she should be plenty fit in returning to the lawn in this one.

The Kentucky-bred chestnut held up well this spring on the main oval against the

best in her division, and she never puts in a bad effort. Her lack of early

speed and the depth of this field lead us to believe that this is a good time to

try and beat the gritty sophomore. Julien Leparoux will be back aboard.

C J'S LEELEE (Mizzen Mast) was second to our top pick with a clear lead last

out but could improve in her second off the bench, and we'll consider her for

the gimmicks.  The Ken McPeek trainee was a sharp, 4 1/4-length

winner in her only other turf try last campaign, and she's well drawn on the

rail in a race without much early zip. The gray filly, who was a fine second in

the Golden Rod S. (G2) in her juvenile finale, has enough ability to run with

these and should be a factor with a clean trip beneath Robby Albarado.

Recent Edgewood S. queen ZEE ZEE (Exchange Rate) has never been worse than

second in four turf tries for Bill Mott and looks live once again. The talented

gray did benefit from a biased turf course in her latest win, but she obviously

can run with these type of rivals and may get a dream trip with a target turning for

home. Kent Desormeaux has the call.

We really like the last race for the well-bred MAGICAL THEATER (Smart

Strike), but it's hard to make a case for the Rusty Arnold charge to top such an

experienced group at this stage of her career. The bay filly, who has won two

straight, inhaled her foes, including a comeback winner, in a recent allowance

win and appears to have a very bright future. Calvin Borel will be atop the

vastly improving homebred.

MISS MAFIOSO (Alphabet Soup) was a strong second in her lone turf start,

recording a career topping 94 BRIS Speed number for Eric Reed, but her outside

post and lack of a turf win make it hard for us to back with confidence.