Skip Away J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

With little speed in Saturday's Skip Away (G3), Grade 2 hero TIMBER RESERVE

(Forest Camp) looks like the one to catch. The six-year-old has raced sparingly

over the past few seasons, but he's going well presently for John Kimmel,

registering a nine-furlong allowance win here at Gulfstream two starts back and a

third in the Challenger S. at Tampa Bay Downs most recently, and won't face the

stiffest competition in this spot.  We'll tab him wire to wire in the 1

3/16-mile event.

ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) was sidelined after recording a close, dead-heat fourth

in the Stephen Foster (G1) last summer. He's dropped both starts this season,

finishing third in an allowance/optional claiming event and second in the

Challenger last time, but is eligible to keep improving in his third start off

the layoff for Richard Dutrow. The multiple Grade 2 winner merits serious

respect, but the seven-year-old gelding is a confirmed late runner who could

prove vulnerable at short odds.

SECRET GETAWAY (Skip Away) exits a sharp 5 3/4-length score over

allowance/optional claiming rivals at Fair Grounds, earning a 102 BRIS Speed

rating, and should sit a good trip close to the pace here with Eddie Castro. He

appears to be rounding into his best form for Michael Stidham and rates as a win

contender.

HELSINKI (Distorted Humor) enters off a decent fifth in the Donn H. (G1), but

the pace was blistering that afternoon. He does have Dutrow in his corner, so

consider the one-run closer for a minor award. GABRIEL'S HILL (A.P. Indy) could

be forwardly placed from his outside post, but he's probably better on turf or

synthetics.

CRISTIANO (Per) (Islam) is a lightly-raced Peruvian import who hasn't started

since winning a Group 1 event in September and has never raced past a mile.

We'll just watch. ELDAAFER (A.P. Indy) and WINGEDLIE (Winged Foot Willie) both

appear unlikely.