Shadwell Turf Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Dual Champion GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) is the one to beat in the

six-horse, $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday.

Conditioned by Christophe Clement, the electric five-year-old has had a

productive, if not stellar, 2010 campaign to this point, running a handful of

solid races against the best competition he could find. We were super-impressed

with his run in the recent Arlington Million (G1) when he circled the field and

went last-to-first in the matter of a few jumps, only to be collared late over a

good course. Cutting back to one mile could be a concern for the Kentucky-bred,

but he's all class and we can't go against him despite the strong foes he faces.

Surging turf performer GET STORMY (Stormy Atlantic) is proven at the distance

and over this oval, and he comes in with seven wins from his last eight outings

for trainer Tom Bush. The bay four-year-old has very good tactical speed and is

well drawn on the inside, so if can settle in behind a fast tempo early he

should be in the mix for a nice payday late.

Blue-blooded Grade 2 winner COURAGEOUS CAT (Storm Cat) was second in the 2009

Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) but has raced just twice since for Hall of Fame trainer

Bill Mott. Unraced since a try in Dubai in March, the four-year-old clearly has

a ton of talent but is being asked to do a lot off the lengthy break in here. We

still consider the colt a threat, though.

We've long liked SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN (Not Impossible [Ire]) and we know that

the seven-year-old enjoys running on this lawn, but we don't envision him

winning a Grade 1 race in this spot. Consider for the bottom of the exotics.

Del Mar Mile H. (G2) victor ENRICHED (High Brite) had everything his own way

at Del Mar last out and will need better than his last to challenge for a

placing in here. Grade 3 winner ACTING ZIPPY (City Zip) looks like little more

than a pace presence against these.