The Very One

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of 14 is set for Sunday's $100,000 The Very One S. (G3) at

Gulfstream Park, and BACKSEAT RHYTHM (El Corredor) will make her 2009 debut in

the 1 3/8-mile turf test. We loved the way she concluded her sophomore season,

registering victories in the Lake Placid S. (G2) and Garden City S. (G1) prior

to a runner-up effort in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S.

(G1), and we'll tab the Pat Reynolds-trained filly for the win.

DRESS REHEARSAL (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) is an intriguing prospect. A listed

winner going about 1 7/16 miles in Ireland last season, the four-year-old filly

made her U.S. debut against allowance/optional claiming rivals at Tampa Bay

Downs last time out, rallying to a 1 1/4-length score. She receives a positive

rider switch to Kent Desormeaux, and we're not too worried about the second-time out

"Euro bounce" with Bill Mott as her trainer. The bay lass figures to appreciate

the added ground, and we like her early price (12-1 on morning line).

CRITICISM (GB) (Machiavellian) has been installed as a slight 7-2

morning-line choice in this well-matched field. The Darley homebred ended

last season on a very encouraging note, winning the Long Island H. (G3) going

away, and we like the 110 BRIS Late Pace rating she earned when finishing a

close second in her U.S. bow, the Athenia H. (G3), two starts back. Criticism

owns plenty of potential in this year's filly & mare turf division, and we won't

be surprised to see her return to the races a winner under Edgar Prado.

SEA CHANTER (War Chanter) turned in a fine effort over the course when second

in the Marshua's River S. last out, and we like the way she's trained since then

for Todd Pletcher. The improving filly must answer the distance question here,

but she's bred to run long on her dam side and could crash the top three on

Sunday at a decent odds (10-1 morning line).

LAMENTATION (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) recorded a good-looking allowance tally

over the course at 12 furlongs last time out, but the Christophe Clement charge

will face much tougher rivals in this spot. The five-year-old mare has displayed

a fine finishing kick since arriving in America, notching a 103 BRIS Late Pace

rating in her previous outing, and she's well-drawn in post 3. Consider for the

exotics. LADY CARLOCK (Chester House) closed boldly to win the Suwannee River S.

(G3) last time, but the five-year-old mare will have to stretch out to an

unfamiliar distance off the hard-fought score. After winning at nearly 14-1 last

time, she figures to offer much less value this time around and will pick up six

pounds. While we're inclined to just watch, Lady Carlock remains a logical top-three contender based on her present form.

CALLWOOD DANCER (Ire) (Danehill) is another logical top-three candidate, but

she likes ground with some cut to it and the turf has been hard and firm at

Gulfstream recently. We like the rider switch to Alan Garcia, but we'll have to

let the classy Canadian beat us. HIGH HEEL SNEAKERS (GB) (Dansili [GB]) ships in

from California for Ben Cecil, but she hasn't shown much in her recent outings

and must break from an outside post. LONG APPROACH (Broad Brush) probably

prefers a little less ground, and she is also marooned in an outside post

position.

LEAP IN THE SUN (Anees) can handle a route of ground, but we can't recommend

her chances given her recent form. SNOW CONE (Cryptoclearance) exits a third in

the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf, but the five-year-old mare has

struggled in her last couple of starts against graded rivals. LOOKALIKE

(Dynaformer), AVIE'S TALE (Tale of the Cat) and LAGUNA PLATEADA (Chi) (Sir Cat)

all have class concerns and face a tall task from their outside starting positions.