Whitney

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Five will hope to knock off overwhelming favorite and leading handicap runner

QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) in Saturday's $750,000 Whitney Invitational H. (G1) at

Saratoga on Saturday, but we simply don't see anyone doing so. The Todd Pletcher

trainee has always been high on our list and he's done nothing to shatter his

image this campaign, rolling to three stylish wins including a fine score in the

Metropolitan H. (G1) most recently. The star colt is adept at nearly any

distance and should be nearly impossible to defeat with his best. John Velazquez

will be aboard.

The fearless MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) placed in a pair of classics last season and continues to impress for conditioner Derek Ryan. A strong second in

the Metropolitan last out, the dark bay is worthy of a Grade 1 win, but he'll

need to turn the tables on the favorite and hold off the others in order to do

so here. We're not fond of that scenario occurring, but we like his chances for

the place spot.

BLAME (Arch) could put himself near or at the top of the handicap list with

an upset in here for trainer Al Stall Jr. A winner of the Stephen Foster H.

(G1) in his latest venture, the superb four-year-old has won four in a row, seven of

his last nine, and simply loves a route of ground. We think so highly of the top

one that we're not giving this Kentucky-bred much thought, but we will still use

him in some of our multi-race plays out of respect.

2009 Kentucky Derby (G1) star MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) is winless since

that day in May last year, but the gelding obviously has ability and could move

way up with a wet surface. The diminutive four-year-old will be making his

second start for D. Wayne Lukas and has trained well here, so we won't discount

his chances at a minor award from the rail.

Suburban H. (G2) victor HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown) has won eight of his last

ten and proved last out that open company would not be a problem when drilling

his foes in a strong showing. The accomplished New York-bred has won all three

at this trip and could secure a placing with another step forward. Ramon

Dominguez has the assignment. JARDIM (Brz) (Ski Champ) would be a huge upset.