W. L. McKnight E

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of 12 will line up for the $200,000 W. L. McKnight H. (G2) at the

marathon distance of 1 1/2 miles over the Calder turf Saturday with

four also-eligible entrants waiting at the ready. The McKnight is the last

stakes race on the

Grand Slam II program at Calder.

REVVED UP (Sultry Song) has captured four of his last five, just missing by a

neck two back in the Sky Classic H. (Can-G2), and enters the McKnight off a

late-running score in the Bonnie Heath Turf Cup H. Revved Up defeated eventual

Tropical Turf H. (G3) victor Silver Tree (Hennessy) by 2 1/2 lengths in that

one. The seven-year-old gelding earned a 109 BRIS Late Pace rating in the Bonnie

Heath for trainer Christophe Clement, who has sent three of his past six charges

to the winner's circle over the past two weeks. Jockey Brice Blanc will pilot

the gray Revved Up.

Although METEOR STORM (GB) (Bigstone [Ire]) is winless since annexing the

Manhattan H. (G1) at Belmont in June of 2004, the six-year-old has had a slew of

close calls since that point and could be poised to win one here. He will be

coming off a 55-day freshening since a runner-up effort in the Canadian

International S. (Can-G1) and hit the wire a close fourth prior to that one in

the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1). Meteor Storm is acclimated to

the McKnight distance, posting a record of 9-2-3-1 at 1 1/2 miles. Javier

Castellano has the call.

DREADNAUGHT (Lac Ouimet) comes into this one off a head victory in the Laurel

Turf Cup for conditioner Thomas Voss. That was the five-year-old gelding's first

victory since capturing last year's McKnight, but Dreadnaught has put

together some good placings in the span since. He has a nice late kick, which

should put the bay in good position as the field hits the wire, and will be

making the switch back to regular rider Jean-Luc Samyn for this one.

ROUSING VICTORY (Victory Gallop) finished just ahead of Dreadnaught in the

Red Smith H. (G2), earning a 114 Late Pace rating. The Philip Serpe trainee will be

breaking from the inside post, which is winning at an 18-percent clip, and the

four-year-old should be kept in mind for the exotics. Edgar Prado will be making

his first start aboard the bay colt. REQUEST FOR PAROLE (Judge T C) has not had his picture taken in the winner's

circle since July of 2004, but could improve with the added distance here as

well as a switch to jockey Eddie Castro. The six-year-old dark bay has earned

Late Pace figures topping the century mark in his last three starts and could

get up for part here.

SILVERFOOT (With Approval) has not had too much success at this distance, but

seems to be on top of his game lately, running away with the Kentucky Cup Turf

(G3) by 6 3/4 lengths. He followed that up with a sixth in the Breeders' Cup

Turf (G1) last out, earning a 125 BRIS E2 Pace rating to put him in the mix. A repeat

effort of that run could put him in contention at the end of this one. DEMETOR (Dehere) made a good appearance in the Tropical Turf last out,

missing by a neck at 41-1 odds after pressing the pace for the entirety of that 1 1/8-mile

trip. The dark bay six-year-old earned a 103 BRIS Speed figure in that one and could

manage to threaten here. SCOOTER ROACH (Mi Cielo) could improve while returning

to the turf, but has had problems with the distance in the past.

PELLEGRINO (Brz) (Nugget Point) is experienced over the distance with seven

starts to his credit, winning two of those. He has good late speed and could

grab part. FRANKLIN'S TOWER (Cape Town) and WILD BUDDY (Line in the Sand) could

be hindered by a front-running style which is sure to hurt them facing the late

speed in this field. We will bet against. NOBLE MASTERPIECE (Regal Classic) will

be facing a class test here.

Given any defections from the field, GO DEPUTY (Deputy Minister) looks like

a contender from the bullpen who could threaten for part. The five-year-old

has a nice late kick and comes off a good second versus optional-claiming company after tracking wide in that one. RUMOR HAS IT

(Awesome Again) would be making his first start for trainer Vincent Blengs if he

draws into this one. The

dark bay gelding has yet to face this grade of talent and could face problems if

he gets into the field

SUPERVISOR (Skip Trial) has not proven successful over the turf in the past. RAMAZUTTI

(Honor Grades) would be hard pressed to find the winner's circle given his lack

of experience at this level.