Saturday Key Races

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BED O' ROSES BREEDERS' CUP HANDICAP (G3), 8TH-AQUEDUCT, $150,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1M, 4:20 P.M. EDT, 4-17

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PASSING SHOT JERKENS H ALLEN SANTOS J A 115
2 BUY THE SPORT BARBARA ROBERT MIGLIORE R 116
3 NONSUCH BAY ALEXANDER FRANK A CHAVEZ J F 116
4 VICTORY ENCOUNTER SADLER JOHN W BRIDGMOHAN S X 118
5 CHIRIMOYA HUSHION MICHAEL E COTTO P L JR 111
6 PRINCESS DIXIE BOND HAROLD JAMES LUZZI M J 112
7 SMOK'N FROLIC PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 119

Saturday's $150,000 Bed o' Roses H. (G2) features three Grade 1 winners, but the horse to beat is SMOK'N FROLIC (Smoke Glacken). The multiple Grade 2 heroine exits a sharp 6 1/2-length score in the Next Move H. (G3) and relishes Aqueduct's main track (4-3-1-0).

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Smok'n Frolic owns a 3-1-2-0 mark at a mile and will be forwardly placed from the start with her tactical speed. When John Velazquez asks for her best, Smok'n Frolic should take over.

BUY THE SPORT (Devil's Bag) runs well fresh and drilled five furlongs in a bullet :59 1/5 on Monday in preparation for this event. The Robert Barbara-trained four-year-old captured the nine-furlong Gazelle H. (G1) in her U.S. debut last September and then tackled top company in her next two outings, finishing a commendable third and fifth in the Gazelle H. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), respectively. She drops back in against lesser company and was a listed winner at a mile in Europe.

NONSUCH BAY (Mr. Greeley) ran well when drawing off to a 3 1/2-length triumph in the Banshee Breeze H. at Gulfstream last out and brings nice form into this event from three starts in 2004. The Frank Alexander-trained mare finished a solid third in this event last year and may show more this time.

PASSING SHOT (A.P. Indy) didn't show much in her first two starts this year but has run well over the track (4-2-0-1). The Grade 1 winner may be rounding back into better form for trainer Allen Jerkens and could grab a share. VICTORY ENCOUNTER (Victory Speed) captured the El Encino H. (G2) at Santa Anita two starts back but didn't fire in her last. She travels east for the first time and will attempt to rally from off the pace.

CHIRIMOYA (Cobra King) could show some early speed but will likely struggle in the stretch against this company. PRINCESS DIXIE (Dixie Brass) makes her first start of the year and has been more effective against New York-breds. We'll give her a race.

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS:
1st-SMOK'N FROLIC
2nd-BUY THE SPORT
3rd-NONSUCH BAY

 

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LEXINGTON STAKES (G2), 9TH-KEENELAND, $325,000, 3YO, 1 1/16M, 5:15 P.M. EDT, 4-17

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 TIGER HEART MCPEEK KENNETH G PERRET C 116
2 SONG OF THE SWORD PEDERSEN JENNIFER ARROYO N JR 116
3 GAMBLIN O'CALLAGHAN NIALL M ALBARADO R J 116
4 POMEROY BIANCONE PATRICK L SMITH M E 116
5 SUAVE MCGEE PAUL VELASQUEZ CORNE 116
6 FIRE SLAM CARROLL DAVID DAY P 116
7 BOOMZEEBOOM CERIN VLADIMIR NAKATANI C S 116
8 DASHBOARD DRUMMER IWINSKI ALLEN DOMINGUEZ R A 116
9 RACE FOR GLORY LUKAS D WAYNE MCKEE J 116
10 QUINTONS GOLD RUSH ASMUSSEN STEVEN M BAILEY J D 116
11 BRIDE'S BEST BOY TAGG BARCLAY PRADO E S 116
12 EL PRADO ROB ZITO NICHOLAS P SELLERS S J 116
13 TOTALLY PLATINUM BAFFERT BOB BOREL C H 116
14 SARATOGA COUNTY WEAVER GEORGE CASTELLANO J J 116
15 NEW ELEMENT WERNER RONNY GUIDRY M 116

A full field of 15 (one also-eligible) has been assembled for Saturday's Lexington S. (G2) and there is a preponderance of early speed. Keeneland's short stretch for 1 1/16-mile races doesn't favor deep closers either.

SUAVE (A.P. Indy) makes his second stakes attempt following a commendable third in the Illinois Derby (G2). The Paul McGee-trained bay was an impressive allowance winner at nine furlongs two starts back on the front end at Gulfstream, recording a 101 BRIS Speed figure, and stalked the pace last time before ranging up into position to challenge at the top of the stretch. He couldn't catch the loose pacesetter, but Saturday could be a different story for the improving colt.

SONG OF THE SWORD (Unbridled's Song) is another top threat and could go favored. Following a sharp debut maiden score on February 4, the Jennifer Pedersen trainee reeled off a couple of nice wins over the inner track at Aqueduct before making his stakes bow in the Illinois Derby. Similar to our top choice, Song of the Sword offered a good rally from just off the pace but could not catch Pollard's Vision (Carson City), settling for runner-up honors. The sophomore owns room for further improvement but is being asked for a lot, making his fifth start in just 10 weeks. If he runs to his potential, though, Song of the Sword will be difficult to deny.

FIRE SLAM (Grand Slam) battled foot problems earlier this year but still performed admirably. He didn't appear to receive a good ride last time in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and we expect a better showing here. The bay colt owns some quickness, but look for new rider Pat Day to settle in a perfect striking position off a heated battle up front before offering his best. Fire Slam is very dangerous.

BOOMZEEBOOM (Explosive Red) is an improving shipper from California. Trained by Vladimir Cerin, the Florida-bred colt has been highly impressive winning his last two outings, earning 103 and 107 Speed ratings, and will be making his third start of the season. Boomzeeboom owns plenty of gas but should sit at the tail of the front tier of runners. We wouldn't be surprised to see him offer a strong challenge for it all.

QUINTONS GOLD RUSH (Wild Rush) is a win contender, but the chestnut drew an unfavorable post (10) and must avoid being caught wide or getting shuffled too far back into the first turn. Now trained by Steve Asmussen, Quintons Gold Rush offered a good effort to finish a close fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and owns the potential to keep showing more. TIGER HEART (Scatmandu) is going well right now for trainer Kenny McPeek, recording a two-length allowance score at 6 1/2 furlongs 10 days ago at Keeneland, but will be making his stakes debut in a difficult spot. He always tries hard (5-2-3-0 overall) and should offer some value, so consider for the exotics.

EL PRADO ROB (El Prado [Ire]) owns some appeal from off a blistering early pace, but he'll need to display much more than he has in three unplaced starts so far this year. Grade 1-placed at two, El Prado Rob does own some back class, however, and has Nick Zito as a trainer. He could be rounding into better form and is a threat for part. BRIDE'S BEST BOY (Outflanker) is a good-looking colt from the Barclay Tagg shedrow who recorded a commendable allowance victory going seven furlongs last out at Gulfstream. This will be his stakes debut and we could envision the dark bay receiving a favorable trip with his tactical speed before pouncing, but his outside post may prove to be too much of a detriment.

POMEROY (Thunder Gulch) looks like a serious factor if he moves forward off his seasonal bow in the Gotham S. (G3). The Patrick Biancone charge chased a wicked pace that afternoon and held gamely through the stretch, withstanding the run of Eddington (Unbridled) for runner-up honors. However, Pomeroy doesn't appear willing to rate and will be chasing a stiff pace here. There is also the possibility of a regression off such a strenuous effort following a six-month layoff. SARATOGA COUNTY (Valid Expectations) won the Gotham and is a very nice colt. We have our doubts about his effectiveness in two-turn routes and believe any chance he has to be a factor here could be doomed by the far outside post position.

GAMBLIN (Family Calling) broke his maiden two starts back at Santa Anita but didn't show much last time in the Rushaway S. He could improve off that performance, but we can't recommend his chances here. DASHBOARD DRUMMER (Alamocitos) will probably be more effective around one turn. TOTALLY PLATINUM (Dynaformer) doesn't look fast enough to challenge. RACE FOR GLORY (Cape Town) exits a dull showing over the track against allowance rivals and appears poorly spotted here by D. Wayne Lukas. NEW ELEMENT (Louis Quatorze) must draw into the field and looks overmatched if he does.

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS:
1st-SUAVE
2nd-SONG OF THE SWORD
3rd-FIRE SLAM

 

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NATIONAL JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP (G3), 8TH-HAWTHORNE, $250,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8M, 4:26 P.M. CDT, 4-17

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PARROTT BAY HOFFMAN KENNETH E CAMPBELL J M 114
2 FIGHTING INDIANS BETTIS CHARLES L MEIER R 112
3 FLEMISH CAP GRYCZEWSKI JERRY L RAZO E JR 111
4 TEN MOST WANTED DOLLASE WALLACE FLORES D R 121
5 NEW YORK HERO PEDERSEN JENNIFER ARROYO N JR 113
6 COLONIAL COLONY BINDNER WALTER M JR LOPEZ J 113

Saturday's $250,000 National Jockey Club H. (G3) at Hawthorne attracted TEN MOST WANTED (Deputy Commander), the winner of last year's Travers S. (G1) and Super Derby (G2), who should return to his winning ways in this nine-furlong event. The Wally Dollase trainee exits a troubled trip as the favorite in the New Orleans H. (G2) in his seasonal debut. Ten Most Wanted was on the receiving end of a chain reaction going into the first turn, getting slammed and forced out badly, and basically lost all chance from that point forward. The dark bay is perfect in one start over this surface, winning last year's Illinois Derby (G2), and he should be hard to deny.

Grade 2 winner NEW YORK HERO (Partner's Hero) will likely be out on the front end. The Jennifer Pedersen trainee can set or stalk the pace and fits nicely in this spot. He exits a high-level allowance race at Keeneland and typically earns triple-digit Speed ratings. New York Hero could prove difficult to pass and must be used in the exacta.

PARROTT BAY (A.P. Indy) finished an excellent third at 18-1 in this race last year and is well drawn on the rail for a ground-saving trip. The Ken Hoffman trainee has been finishing on the fringes this season but could earn a minor award with a clean trip.

FLEMISH CAP (Meadowlake), the possible pacesetter, defeated $25,000 types in wire-to-wire fashion by more than 15 lengths and was claimed out of that race in late February. Since then, he reeled off two more on the lead. He figures to get a class check but could stick around for part. COLONIAL COLONY (Pleasant Colony) is trained by Walter Binder, whose horses have been performing very well of late at good odds. He makes his second start of the year after a closing third at Fair Grounds and could run late for a share. Consider for the exotics.

FIGHTING INDIANS (Lord Carson) makes his first start of the year after going winless in 10 starts last season. He adds blinkers but is otherwise hard to recommend.

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS:
1st-TEN MOST WANTED
2nd-NEW YORK HERO
3rd-PARROTT BAY

 

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SANTA BARBARA HANDICAP (G2), 9TH-SANTA ANITA, $200,000, 4YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/4MT, 4:42 P.M. PDT, 4-17

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 URAIB (IRE) SHULMAN SANFORD LEYVA J C 111
2 MEGAHERTZ (GB) FRANKEL ROBERT J SOLIS A 121
3 STAR VEGA (GB) CASSIDY JAMES ESPINOZA V 112
4 MANDELA (GER) FRANKEL ROBERT J SANTIAGO JAVIER 111
5 BARTOK'S BLITHE GUTIERREZ JORGE COURT J K 112
6 NOCHES DE ROSA (CHI) MANDELLA RICHARD E BAZE T C 116

A small field of six has been entered for Saturday's $200,000 Santa Barbara H. (G2) at Santa Anita, and MEGAHERTZ (GB) (Pivotal) looks too tough to go against as she tries for a title defense. The Bobby Frankel-trained five-year-old won last year's edition by three parts of a length and has since captured the John C. Mabee H. (G1) and San Gorgonio H. (G2).

Megahertz also finished first in her last race, the Santa Ana H. (G2), but was placed seventh for swerving in under Victory Espinoza and interfering with Arabic Song (Ire) (Alhaarth). Regular jockey Alex Solis will be back in the saddle on Saturday, and the pair could easily wind up celebrating their reunion in the winner's circle.

BARTOK'S BLITHE (Bartok [Ire]) might add some value to what is shaping up to be some very chalky exotics. The bay four-year-old owns only two starts on the turf, but ran a close eighth in her grass debut last year in the Honeymoon Breeders' Cup H. (G2). She made her 2004 bow in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf S., finishing third by only 1 3/4 lengths and earning a nice 97 BRIS Speed figure. The Jorge Gutierrez trainee could surprise in the top three.

NOCHES DE ROSA (Chi) (Stagecraft [GB]) ran third in this event 12 months ago, then made only more start for the year in the May 24 Yerba Buena Breeders' Cup H. (G3), in which she finished second. The Richard Mandella charge scored a career-best 104 Speed rating as well as a 114 BRIS Late Pace figure for that one, and returned this year in an allowance on March 28 over the course. She definitely needed that one off the layoff and could challenge here with Tyler Baze in the irons.

URAIB (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) made her U.S. debut last out on the same day as Noches de Rosa's return. The dark bay four-year-old captured that optional claimer by two lengths and broke her maiden in England while going Saturday's 10-furlong distance. We wouldn't be surprised to see her come running late to grab part.

MANDELA (Ger) (Acatenango) ran fifth, before being placed fourth, in the Santa Ana most recently. She'll be making her third start here for Frankel and will have Javier Santiago aboard. We can't completely dismiss with those connections, so consider for the gimmicks. STAR VEGA (GB) (Blue Ocean) will be getting blinkers added, but has finished sixth in her past four starts and hasn't won since April of last year. We can't recommend based on those factors.

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS:
1st-MEGAHERTZ (GB)
2nd-BARTOK'S BLITHE
3rd-NOCHES DE ROSA (Chi)