Shakertown

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of eight will travel 5 1/2 furlongs over the Keeneland turf course in

Sunday's $100,000 Shakertown S. (G3). IN SUMMATION (Put It Back) comes into this

race in fine form versus better and rates our top choice for trainer Christophe

Clement. The four-year-old was a solid fifth in the Sir Beaufort S. (G3) over

one mile most recently, which followed runner-up efforts in the Nearctic S.

(Can-G2), Hollywood Turf Express H. (G3) and Restoration S., and we feel that

the turnback in distance will suit the colt just fine. Clement hits at a high

rate with horses off the layoff, and the presence of Garrett Gomez only enhances

the dark bay's chances.

SGT. BERT (Confide) captured his second straight Woodford S. over this course in the fall,

and certainly deserves attention in this dash. Trained by Gary Montgomery, the

gelded six-year-old sports four wins at the distance and a pair over this sod,

and has trained well in advance of this. Should the top one not fire, the bay

would be the likely upsetter beneath Rafael Bejarano.

LIFESTYLE (Indian Charlie) exits a sharp tally over the Gulfstream turf and

should factor with these with anything resembling his last. The lightly raced

seven-year-old hails from a hot barn and is the potential speed of the speed,

leading us to believe that he'll be the one to catch turning for home. John

Velazquez will guide the bay.

HOLD THE SALT (Salt Lake) was a 3 1/2-length winner in his lone turf sprint

and could get a small share for James Dodgen. The dark bay is unraced since

December and shows only two drills in 2007, but the rail draw and the overall

mediocrity of the field could see the gelding finishing off some exotics. Brian

Hernandez has the riding assignment.

THE NTH DEGREE (Distorted Humor) is no stranger to stakes company and closed

quite well in the recent Turf Dash S. for conditioner Eduardo Caramori. The

gelded chestnut would likely benefit most from a rapid early pace, but we're not

sure how much early foot is signed on, leading us to keep Eddie Castro's mount

on the bottom of the gimmicks. SHARK (Danzig) captured his lone turf try to date and exits a good second in

the Delta Express S. for Jeff Thornbury. The well-bred five-year-old has yet to

show that he is capable of keeping up with graded company, but the bay could get

a paycheck due to the lack of depth in this group. Jeff Graham will steer the

Kentucky-bred.

COGNAC KISSES (Dixie Union) posted a career-best BRIS Speed figure with a recent

allowance score at Mountaineer, but will be making his turf debut in here. The

four-year-old colt took five tries to break through his allowance condition and

will likely find this group too much for his liking. CONGO KING (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) broke his maiden at first asking but has

hit the board just once in his subsequent eight efforts. We respect the high

profile conditions surrounding the four-year-old, but we can't recommend his

inclusion in any tickets.