Swale J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

The Swale S. (G2), which has been shortened from seven to 6 1/2 furlongs, is

one of six graded races at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. First-out maiden winner

STORM TRUST (Storm Boot), one of two trained by Anthony Sciametta (read Todd

Pletcher), is our top choice. In his debut on November 11 at Aqueduct, the

chestnut dueled two wide down the backstretch, opened up a clear lead going into

the far turn while reeling off an opening quarter-mile in :21 4/5, then quickly

drew off with his rider sitting chilly before winning the 5 1/2-furlong event by

6 1/4 lengths in 1:03 3/5. Storm Trust has the look of a runner and is

tactically drawn on the outside. He should offer good value at 6-1

on the morning line beneath Chris DeCarlo.

The extremely quick REATA'S ROCKET (Cape Canaveral) exits a solid one-length

victory in the six-furlong NATC Futurity last September at Monmouth Park. The

chestnut broke quickly and dueled through fast fractions (:21 4/5 and :44 4/5) in

the mud before edging clear late under a mild drive in 1:09 2/5. In his previous

start, he dueled for the early lead along the fence before quickly drawing off

to a five-length victory over maiden special weight rivals at the New Jersey

shore. Reata's Rocket is a primary contender despite shouldering top weight of

120 pounds. Rene Douglas picks up the mount.

The Nick Zito-trained FOREFATHERS (Gone West) broke his maiden impressively

despite beginning a step slow in his U.S debut at Calder. The bay colt settled into a clear stalking

position, then rallied strongly in the stretch to win going away by 1 1/2

lengths. The runner-up, Man Above (Songandaprayer), came back to break his

maiden by 7 1/4 lengths. In his most recent outing against winners,

Forefathers broke well and set the pace before edging away in the lane under a

hand ride. He has worked well since and must be respected for a top three

placing.

Dover S. winner ADORE THE GOLD (Formal Gold) rushed up along the rail, edged

clear on the far turn, then scampered home by four lengths in the seven-furlong

H. Steward Mitchell S. on December 2 at Laurel Park. The dark bay colt has

earned triple digit Speed ratings in three of his four career starts, but will

have to work out a trip from the inside under new rider Cornelio Velasquez. Our

concern is that he could be overbet in this spot.

COWTOWN CAT (Distorted Humor), the other Sciametta trainee, rallied four wide around the turn to challenge for the

lead turning for home, then drew off to a 4 1/4-length score

against allowance foes at this track and trip in his last start. In his previous

start, he stumbled at the start, but was quickly in the game before fading to

sixth in the Nashua S. (G3) at Aqueduct. Adore the Gold, who finished fifth, may

have actually run a better race. Cowtown Cat could be a vulnerable underlay as

the 5-2 morning line favorite. John Velazquez rides.

GUNFIGHT (Fusaichi Pegasus) ships in from New Orleans for trainer Steve

Asmussen after looking like a winner in upper stretch only to be outfinished

near the line in a six-furlong allowance race. He figures to show

speed from the rail under Edgar Prado but would have to improve significantly to

factor here. FIRST CAVALRY (Forest Camp) is 1-for-8 lifetime and would appear to

be overmatched.