Riva Ridge BC

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier) is undefeated and untested in six career

starts. He should keep his perfect record intact in Saturday's Riva Ridge

Breeders' Cup S. (G2), which kicks off a $1 million guaranteed Pick 4 pool on

the Belmont S. (G1) undercard.

Trained by Greg Gilchrist, Lost in the Fog is two-for-two at this

seven-furlong distance, winning both the Swale S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park and

the Bay Shore S. (G3) at Aqueduct by daylight margins. The dark bay earned BRIS

Speed ratings of 106 and 107, respectively, in those events. In his most recent

outing, Lost in the Fog went right to the lead and simply dominated two

overmatched foes by 10 lengths in the Golden Bear Breeders' Cup S. at Golden Gate

Fields, his home track. He set a new track record in the Golden Bear, running

six furlongs in 1:07 1/5. The sophomore will be ridden for the first time by

Edgar Prado, who will fill in for the injured Russell Baze. Lost in the Fog

figures to be a prohibitive odds-on choice, so we're going to use him on top of

the two horses listed below, and others, in single-race exotics.

SURVIVALIST (Danzig) closed determinedly to win the one-mile Gotham S. (G3).

In his first start around two turns, he was the distant runner-up to Bellamy

Road (Concerto) in the Wood Memorial (G1), then finished an even fifth in the

one-mile Withers S. (G3) last out. The Shug McGaughey trainee may not have cared

for the off track in his most recent outing and could rebound here with a good

effort. Survivalist, who gets a rider change to John Velazquez, is a solid

off-the-pace runner and could offer good value at 12-1 on the morning line.

Our longshot special is GOING WILD (Golden Missile), who most recently

finished up the track in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1). The

D. Wayne Lukas trainee dueled through fast opening fractions and was still in

the mix on the far turn in both events. He has worked a half-mile in 46 and

change twice since the Preakness and figures to relish the turn back in

distance. He could be hard to catch at 20-1 on the morning line.

The Todd Pletcher-trained PROUD ACCOLADE (Yes It's True) won the Champagne S.

(G1) over this surface last year and that should always be respected. The dark

bay captured the Hutcheson S. (G2) at the unusual distance of 7 1/2 furlongs earlier

this season, then turned in two sub-par efforts over off tracks in the Rushaway

S. at Turfway Park and the Withers. He could rebound to earn a share at 15-1 on the morning

line.

EGG HEAD (Honor Grades), who is the second choice at 5-2 on the morning line,

has put together three straight impressive victories at Philadelphia and

Delaware Park, but upgrades sharply in class. The dark bay will be making

his first start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who has won only one of 32 starts

this meet. Egg Head is an improving, fast, talented sprinter, but how much value

will there be with him and our top choice?

WAR PLAN (Fusaichi Pegasus) set the pace before holding on well for third,

beaten just 3 1/2 lengths, in the Withers last out. The $700,000 juvenile

purchase has shown nice progression this year after being removed from the

McLaughlin barn. He figures to get sent from the inside post, but would have to

improve sharply to factor. MIDDLE EARTH (Dixieland Band) won two races on the

front end at this distance against maidens and allowance types for trainer Nick

Zito after running deceptively well in the Whirlaway S. in his U.S. debut. Like

the one above, he would have to improve significantly to factor. TANI MARU

(Cherokee Run) won a minor stakes going 6 1/2 furlongs in a swift 1:15 1/5 over

this surface last out but appears to be up against it in this spot.