Test

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

With the retirement of Franny Freud (Freud), a solid field of nine sophomore fillies will travel seven furlongs on the

Saratoga main oval in Saturday's $250,000 Test S. (G1). We'll take a shot with

unbeaten Jostle S. queen BELLE OF THE HALL (Graeme Hall) from the barn of Tom

Albertrani. The expensive filly has looked the part in each of her three

lifetime outings, and while she hasn't blown away her foes, she seemingly knows

how fast to run to get it done. Ramon Dominguez will stay aboard the chestnut,

who will be stalking from midpack to the stretch before putting in her winning

bid.

PICA SLEW (Pico Central [Brz]) turned a lot of heads in South Florida with a

trio of easy wins, including a fine two-length tally in the Azalea S. (G3) most

recently. Transferred to the barn of the capable Michael Hushion since, the

speedy bay proved last out that she can rate, and she should have little trouble

negotiating the extra furlong on this occasion. Manny Cruz retains the mount

atop the Florida-bred.

Kentucky Oaks (G1) third TIDAL POOL (Yankee Gentleman) could be sitting on a

big one after receiving a brief freshening from conditioner D. Wayne Lukas, but

we like others more in the top spot. The talented bay is a live exotics threat

at a price, though.

Azalea runner-up BUCKLEUPBUTTERCUP (Najran) has been a model of consistency

for conditioner Eddie Kenneally, and the gray miss is a potential top-three

player on this day. The former maiden claimer has finished worse than second

just twice from nine lifetime tries and should be a big threat late if the early

types back up in the lane. Julien Leparoux stays aboard.

Acorn S. (G1) victress CHAMPAGNE D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro) proved that her win

two back was no fluke when second last out in the Prioress S. (G1) for trainer

Eric Guillot. The much improved bay has certainly found a home on dirt and has

posted a pair of local drills to ready for this, so we see no reason why she

can't add more hardware to her trophy case. Miguel Mena accepts the assignment.

Prioress third BONNIE BLUE FLAG (Mineshaft) hails from the

ever-dangerous Bob Baffert barn and is another who has improved since moving to

the dirt two races back. The well-bred bay would only need to repeat her Cinemine S. triumph to be a major player in this dash with John Velazquez in the

irons.

Recent allowance winner ASH ZEE (Exchange Rate) is clearly talented, but she

lacks the foundation and possibly the class to run with these at this point of

her career. The much ballyhooed CHRISTINE DAAE (Giant's Causeway) hasn't lived

up to her lofty expectations as of yet for Patrick Biancone, and we don't expect

her to do more than challenge for the gimmicks on this occasion. Lightly raced

Empire State-bred LOVELY LIL (Tiznow) has dominated two fields to date and will

take a huge class jump in this one for Hushion. The bay homebred looks

competitive with these from a numbers standpoint, but we must side with others

who have more experience.