Spinster

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday's $500,000 Spinster S. (G1) has attracted a nice field of 11 fillies

and mares, and we'll give an edge to the three-year-old IT'S TEA TIME

(Dynaformer). The bay lass ran a big one in the Ashland S. (G1) last April,

falling a neck short of Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet) following a furious late

rally, and may have been the best horse that afternoon considering the trouble

she experienced.

It's Tea Time never picked up her hoofs when switching to a fast dirt track

in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and that effort probably took a little out of her next

out when she recorded a decent fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths, in the Regret S.

(G3). After being freshened for 50 days by Rusty Arnold, the Kentucky-bred

notched her second career victory in a commendable allowance performance over

the Saratoga turf. She cruised by 7 1/4 lengths over two overmatched rivals in

the off-the-turf Lake Placid S. (G3) last time and will return to Keeneland on

the upswing for her connections. With plenty of pace in the Spinster field, It's

Tea Time should receive the perfect set-up, and we'll look for her to step up

with a major win.

HOT CHA CHA (Cactus Ridge) captured the 2009 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

S. (G1) on Keeneland's turf and exits an excellent second in the grassy Beverly

D. S. (G1) at Arlington. The in-form filly will make her first start on an

all-weather track in 15 months, but she's three-for-six on synthetics and must

be considered a serious win contender here. The four-year-old appears to be

training forwardly for Phil Simms in preparation, and her BRIS numbers are

excellent. We'll include the dark bay in all wagers.

TIZAQUEENA (Tiznow) made a favorable impression when making her synthetic

debut in the 1 1/8-mile Arlington Matron (G3) three back, winning on the front

end by two lengths, and exits a couple solid showings on the turf for Michael

Stidham. Well-drawn in post 3, the five-year-old mare figures to sit a good trip

close to the pace beneath Javier Castellano and should be in position to make

her presence felt turning for home. Listed at 5-1 on the morning line, the Grade

2 winner should be every bit of that price in this competitive field and has a

chance for the win.

ZARDANA (Brz) (Crimson Tide) made a name for herself when defeating reigning

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds earlier this year, but her

first graded win came on synthetic in the Bayakoa H. (G2) last December.

Freshened for 119 days off a third in the June 13 Vanity H. (G1), the John

Shirreffs trainee is a threat with her best, but she's raced primarily at

shorter distances and hasn't earned good BRIS Speed ratings in her last couple

of starts. She remains a logical candidate for a minor award.

STRIKING DANCER (Smart Strike) has placed in three previous attempts over

Keeneland's Polytrack and exits a decent fourth in the Glens Falls S. (G3) for

Kenny McPeek. That was her first start back from a lengthy freshening, and the

Grade 3 queen is eligible to improve off the effort. She's an intriguing

candidate for the bottom of the gimmicks at long odds. ACOMA (Empire Maker) also

offers some exotics appeal at price. She'll have to overcome the far outside

post, but the David Carroll trainee is one for one over the track and will have

plenty of time to save ground before entering the first turn. She's earned

commendable BRIS Late Pace ratings in the past and is a candidate to come

charging late for a small share.

Grade 1 winner FUNNY MOON (Malibu Moon) didn't run poorly when finishing

second in her lone synthetic start, the Doubledogdare S. (G3) at Keeneland in

April, but she'll be facing tougher rivals in this spot. This will be her first

start at the nine-furlong distance and we're inclined to let her beat us.

RINTERVAL (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]) missed by only a neck to Zenyatta (Street

Cry [Ire]) in the 1 1/16-mile Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) last out. She was

supposed to run in the Lady's Secret S. (G1) last Saturday, but was scratched

after flipping over in a scary paddock incident. Her connections re-routed her

to this race, but we don't like her chances going nine furlongs following her

recent incident. The front-running mare didn't draw a favorable post (9) and

looks like a good bet-against for us.

SILVER REUNION (Harlan's Holiday) figures to show the way under Ramon

Dominguez, but the Ballston Spa H. (G2) runner-up will probably face some

pressure and has never raced this far before. MILWAUKEE APPEAL (Milwaukee Brew)

owns some back class, but she doesn't look sharp enough to challenge. ASKBUT I

WON'TTELL (Horse Chestnut [SAf) could find this company too difficult.