Woodward

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

Saturday's $500,000 Woodward S. (G1) features a rematch between COMMENTATOR

(Distorted Humor) and SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado), and the remaining four

entrants look like outsiders. The only one we could possibly make a case for,

SIR SHACKLETON (Miswaki), is coupled with Commentator and won't offer any value

anyway.

Despite the presence of two "rabbits," Commentator is our top selection. The

four-year-old gelding turned in a brilliant winning performance in the Whitney

H. (G1) last out, setting an uncontested but fast early pace before proving

extremely game through the stretch, and he could continue to show more. He'll be

forwardly placed on Saturday, but jockey Gary Stevens will probably allow the

other speed to dictate things up front through the opening stages before seizing

command on the backstretch. Commentator didn't make his career debut until about

13 months ago and excelled at sprint distances last season. Bred to run longer

distances, he had no trouble handling two turns at Saratoga, earning a whopping

117 BRIS Speed rating, and will only have to negotiate one turn while traveling

nine furlongs over Belmont's massive track. The chestnut has trained forwardly

since his last start for Nick Zito and will be making only his ninth career

start. Commentator looks set for another big effort.

Sir Shackleton has dropped five straight since winning his first two races

this year and hasn't been much of a factor in those starts. However, he has been

earning century-topping BRIS Late Pace numbers as high as 123, and the

late-running chestnut will have the perfect setup with all the speed in the

field. If Commentator falters, his stablemate could be there to pick up the

pieces.

Saint Liam will need to capture some past glory to come out on top, but that

scenario is certainly a possibility. The five-year-old set the pace when

finishing a terrific second by a neck to Ghostzapper in the 2004 Woodward and

raced on the pace throughout when smoking Roses in May earlier this year in the

Donn H. (G1), but he lacked his customary early zip in the Whitney and rated off

the pace two starts back in the Stephen Foster H. (G1). Saint Liam will likely

be forced even farther back off the early running on Saturday and that doesn't

seem to be his most effective run style. He may still be classy enough to get

the job done, but we'll go against the $1.7 million earner.

SHANIKO (A.P. Indy) romped by 11 lengths over optional claiming/allowance

rivals last time and captured an allowance at Belmont three starts back. The

four-year-old colt brings some nice Speed ratings into this event, but he hasn't

fared well against stakes rivals in the past and has faced some questionable

company in his recent attempts. We can't recommend his chances here.

SHOW BOOT (Storm Boot) and CRAFTY PLAYER (Crafty Prospector) will race

coupled for trainer Richard Dutrow and both are better at sprint distances.

They'll ensure a fast pace before retreating.