Turnback the Alarm

TRACK BANDIT

PREVIEWS

Six distaffers will travel 1 1/8 miles in the $100,000 Turnback the Alarm H.

(G3) at Aqueduct on Sunday. With the abundance of speed signed on in this

compact group, we're going to side with one who could be moving best, the

improving ALTESSE (A.P. Indy) from the barn of Shug McGaughey. The bay filly

had won or placed in nine straight events prior to a sixth-place effort in the

Spinster S. (G1) on the Polytrack last out, but we're willing to excuse the well-bred miss for

that effort over an unconventional surface. The four-year-old was a daylight

winner of the Heavenly Prize S. three back and a solid second in the Beautiful

Pleasure S. two prior, and a repeat of either of those efforts should find her

in the mix late. John Velazquez will ride.

FOLK (Quiet American) will likely assume the lead as she is drawn inside of

her main pace threats, and we think the sophomore has a big chance in this one.

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin, the bay miss has faced the best of

her generation most recently and could enjoy the class relief that this one will

provide. A repeat of her close third in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) two

back will likely see her in contention in the latter stages under Mike Luzzi.

Grade 1 vixen SUGAR SHAKE (Awesome Again) was an excellent fourth in the

Spinster and ranks first in BRIS Prime Power (144.3) for conditioner Bobby

Frankel. The four-year-old is another who could appreciate the drop in class in

this spot, and if she can relax early, she's another with a big shot late. The nine-furlong

distance is a bit of a question in our minds, but the bay is good enough to be

there late beneath Javier Castellano.

Multiple stakes heroine PEAK MARIA'S WAY (Pyramid Peak) is more than capable

on her best day but will need a heady ride from Edgar Prado to optimize her

chances with this group. The gray four-year-old was an easy winner of the Justakiss

S. at Delaware last out but won't see such an ideal pace scenario in this one for Michael Gorham. We respect the filly but think she could be compromised by her pace foes.

VICTORY POOL (Victory Gallop) is as honest as the day is long and never seems

to throw in a clunker for Ben Perkins, Jr. The five-year-old chestnut has the

right running style for this race and a useful outside draw, but her

acceleration does not match these and she'll be hard pressed to win this event.

The top three candidate will be guided by Alan Garcia.

CINDY'S MOM (A.P. Indy) was a closing second in a Saratoga allowance tilt in

her first start for Allen Jerkens and steps up the class ladder on this

occasion. The four-year-old has never faced this type and has never traveled

this distance, and she looks a cut below the best. Eddie Castro has the call on

the longshot.