Tropical Turf

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

BALLAST (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]) will be seeking a title defense in Saturday's

$100,000 Tropical Turf H. (G3), and we won't go against the seven-year-old

gelding. Trained by Graham Motion, the chestnut appears to be rounding into top

form, finishing a close fourth in the Cliff Hanger S. (G3) prior to an

encouraging allowance score at Keeneland last out, and he loves the Calder turf

(two for two). The stalker has been training forwardly for this start and looks

suited for a strong showing under Jeremy Rose.

SOLDIER'S DANCER (Lost Soldier) is quite capable with his best. The

four-year-old gray reeled off two straight stakes wins, including a four-length

tally in the Miami Mile H. (G3) over the course, before stumbling and losing his

rider in the Bonnie Heath Turf Cup H. last time, and he's certainly a candidate

to bounce back well under regular rider Manoel Cruz. The late runner doesn't

figure to receive much pace in front, though, and we'll try to beat him for the

win.

IT'S A BIRD (Birdonthewire) is winless from five turf starts, but the Marty

Wolfson trainee has placed a couple of times and is eligible to run well here.

Winner of the Spend a Buck H. (G3) two back on the main track, It's a Bird

figures to put his speed to good use in a race lacking pace, and the

five-year-old may last a long way on the front end.

SILVER TREE (Hennessy) is a hard-hitting eight-year-old from the Bill Mott

stable, and the multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire captured the 2005 running

of the Tropical Turf. He didn't fire his best effort when fourth in the Bonnie

Heath last time, but that was the chestnut's first off-the-board finish in four

attempts over the course. Silver Tree should be in position to offer a challenge

turning for home, and we'll include him in the gimmicks.

SPICE ROUTE (GB) (King's Best) probably wants a little more ground, but we

can't dismiss the classy Canadian's chances. Second in the Canadian

International (Can-G1) two back and third in the Sky Classic (Can-G2) most

recently, the Roger Attfield pupil owns terrific BRIS Numbers and looms as a top-three contender in his South Florida debut.

ICY ATLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic) is eligible to outperform our expectations,

and we can't blame any one who uses him in the exotics. A nice winner of the

Bonnie Heath last time, the seven-year-old gelding can be wildly inconsistent,

and the late runner probably won't have much pace in front. MINISTER'S JOY

(Deputy Minister) will be running late, but is stuck in the far

outside post and could leave himself with too much to do in the stretch. We'll

let him beat us.

SIMMARD (Dixieland Band) exits an entry-level allowance win at Woodbine, and

we'll give him a race at this level. A. P. MAGIC (A.P. Indy) probably needs an

easier spot to be effective.