Spinaway J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Eight intriguing juvenile fillies will go seven-eighths on the Saratoga dirt

in Sunday's $250,000 Spinaway S. (G1). ABIDE (Tiznow) was no secret at the windows in

her debut when going off at even-money and the Steve Asmussen pupil did not

disappoint when striding home a visually impressive 3 1/4-length winner on that

day. We have a hunch that she could get overlooked in here, and her initial

outing made us think that more ground could be to her liking, so we'll take a

shot with the expensive yearling purchase.

Exciting debut heroine VALIANT PASSION (Lion Heart) ran off to a 9 1/4-length

score at this venue last month at 30-1, earning excellent BRIS Speed and Pace

numbers, and has since has transferred to the Todd Pletcher barn. The bay lass

could be any type and needs only to repeat her first run to be a major player in

here. Julien Leparoux retains the mount.

R HEAT LIGHTNING (Trippi) has impressed us with both of her tries to date and

rates a big chance at the winning prize in here for Pletcher. An excellent

second in the Colleen S. at Monmouth last out, the sharp juvenile lass could

benefit from the outside draw and may also appreciate the extra furlong to work

with in this affair. Garrett Gomez will pick up the mount.

ALIENATION (Rock Hard Ten) ran a big one behind a superb winner in the

Adirondack S. (G2) over this oval last out and clearly looms a danger in here

for Bob Baffert. The speedy dark bay should be an early factor in the very least

with new pilot Channing Hill.

STOPSPENDINGMARIA (Montbrook) was a stylish maiden winner at Belmont two back

(receiving a field-best 100 BRIS Speed rating) before finishing second in the

Schuylerville S. (G3) locally in her latest venture. The Todd Pletcher charge

didn't endure the best trip last out, and had to deal with a sloppy oval, so

it's more than possible that she moves up in this one. We like others more, but

will include the filly. LE MI GEAUX (First Samurai) bagged the Schuylerville S.

(G3) most recently but appears to be facing tougher in this fine group. The

chestnut hasn't earned good BRIS Late Pace numbers and now must handle more

ground, so we'll play against the Richard Dutrow charge.

SKY HOSOYA (Bluegrass Cat), who is coupled with Stopspendingmaria, crushed

maiden claiming foes last out on this oval but steps up in a big way on this

day. We don't fancy her chances. COAX LIBERTY (Successful Appeal) was a distant

third in the Adirondack S. (G2) most recently and can't be expected to finish

much higher on this day.