Woodford Reserve Turf Classic

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An excellent field of eight will contest the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf

Classic S. (G1) over the Churchill Downs lawn on Saturday. This deep and

contentious collection boasts some of the top turf handicappers in the country

and we'll look for a sweep by the California invaders.

GOLDEN BALLS (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) made a big impression on us with a

late-running tally in the La Puente S. last spring and seems poised for a

breakthrough win in here. The James Cassidy pupil had an excellent tightener for

this when a closing third in the Arcadia H. (G2) and could appreciate the added

furlong in today's contest. The chestnut colt has been impressive in his morning

drills and should be a solid price in advance of his first graded score. David

Flores has the call.

We will take one more chance with Grade 2 star OUT OF CONTROL (Brz) (Vettori),

even though he has let us down twice this campaign for Bobby Frankel. The

five-year-old proved that he was among the top miler types in California last

year but hasn't gotten over the hump as of yet in this campaign in two

eight-furlong races. The extra furlong should aid the dark bay, as should the

rail post and the guidance of Garrett Gomez.

ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) has improved with age under the tutelage of

Neil Drysdale and comes off a useful fourth-place finish in the Arcadia. The bay

seven-year-old broke through with a Grade 1 win last fall and trekked to Japan

for a respectable finish in the deep Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), prior to finishing a

good second in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) in March. The ridgling is in

good hands with Rafael Bejarano and is drawn on the

outside.

WAR MONGER (War Chant) disappointed in his last pair for Bill Mott, but the

four-year-old has much more ability that he's has shown in his recent two tries.

The bay Florida-bred looked like a superstar-in-waiting when dominating the

Sunshine Millions Turf, but he has failed to leave that impression in his

subsequent two outings against better. We've not given up on the colt, but it's

hard to pick him to win at this juncture. Kent Deosrmeaux will pilot the bay,

who is a logical exotics contender.

EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck) was a fine second in the Maker's Mark Mile S.

(G1) and

appears to be set up perfectly for this engagement for trainer Helen Pitts. The

multiple Grade 1-winning dark bay is proven at this trip and has a world of

talent, but we're not excited about his three races over this oval, which all

resulted in unplaced finishes including a seventh in this race in 2007. Robby Albarado will guide the Brazilian, who will likely be overbet.

We'll try to

beat him.

There is not much speed in this field, making THORN SONG (Unbridled's Song) a

dangerous customer in here. A good third last out in the Maker's Mark Mile, the Dale Romans trainee got good last summer when reeling off six

consecutive first or second-place finishes, led by a win in the River City H.

(G3) on this lawn. This group is surely tougher than the River City, but if

the Maker's Mark Mile was any indication, the five-year-old could have a big say in

the outcome beneath John Velazquez.

DUVEEN (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) was superb in his first five turf races,

including a win last year in the Crown Royal American Turf S. (G3), but

something went amiss in the Virginia Derby (G2), when the colt was seventh in

his yearly finale. The dark bay has since been transferred to the Kiaran

McLaughlin barn, who hits at a good percentage with these types, but we're

always somewhat skeptical when horses like this make their first start out of

their own division. We'll use the Kentucky-bred only on the bottom of the

exotics beneath Edgar Prado.

YATE'S BLACK CAT (Black Minnaloushe) loves Churchill Downs, evidenced by his

5-3-1-0 mark locally, and he displayed a nice turn of foot when second in the

Canadian Turf H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The second-string of the Romans

trainees showed little in his latest effort but has been pointed to this event

all year, and he could sneak into the lower rungs of the gimmicks with his best.

Ramon Dominguez will have the call.