Elkhorn

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An overflow field of 14 has been entered for Friday’s closing day feature at
Keeneland, the $200,000 Elkhorn S. (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the green.
MAGISTRETTI (Diesis [GB]) is the morning-line favorite at 5-2, but will be
making his five-year-old debut here, with his last start coming as a fourth in
the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The Grade 1 winner may be tops in this field on any
other day, but we think he’ll be vulnerable in his return and will try for a
better price with NAVESINK RIVER (Unbridled).

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the bay colt enters the Elkhorn off a game win in
the Pan American H. (G2) at earlier this month. Navesink River tracked in behind the
pace in that 12-furlong grass test before taking control in the stretch and
pulled away for a half-length victory. He earned a stellar 107 BRIS Speed
rating, as well as triple-digit BRIS E2 and Late Pace figures, and has really
blossomed since being switched to the turf late last year. Navesink River has
competed against top competition in every start on the green and could take a
second straight win with John Velazquez in the saddle.

SWAGGER STICK (Cozzene) could add to the exotic payouts. The gray
four-year-old made his U.S. debut in late January, running a close fifth in the
Mac Diarmida H. (G3), before finishing just a length back in seventh in the tough Gulfstream
Park Breeders’ Cup H. (G1). He finally broke through with a first win stateside
last out in an allowance over the course and may have finally acclimated himself
to the different conditions. The H. Graham Motion trainee can challenge for it all at 15-1 on the morning line. Cornelio Velasquez
has the call.

EPICENTRE (Kris S.) is the defending champion in the Elkhorn and, though he
didn’t do so well in the winter months, the six-year-old may have have found new
life as evidenced by his close third in the San Luis Rey H. (G2) last out. The
Bobby Frakel charge earned a nice 102 Speed figure for that placing and is
undefeated in two starts over Keeneland’s turf. The bay horse could repeat here under Jerry Bailey.

Magistretti owns only one win stateside, that coming in last year’s Man o’
War H. (G1), but followed that up with a good second in the Joe Hirsch Turf
Classic Invitational S. (G1) prior to his Breeders’ Cup run. The five-year-old
bay owns the back class to take this event, so don’t completely ignore in the
top three, but we’re willing to give him a race off the vacation. SCOOTER ROACH
(Mi Cielo) has done well against others in this field recently. The bay gelding
was just 1 1/2 lengths back in fourth in the Pan American and has recorded four
straight triple-digit Speed and E2 Pace ratings. He could challenge for part under Rafael Bejarano.

BALESTRINI (Ire) (Danehill) just missed when fifth in the Hollywood Turf
Cup (G1) after leading for much of the race. The Neil Drysdale trainee is the
likely pacesetter for this bunch, and if he gets away with an uncontested lead,
the race will be his to lose. EUROPEAN (Ire) (Great Commotion) also did well in the Pan
American, but has been playing musical barns of late and is now under the
tutelage of trainer Michael Matz. The five-year-old chestnut captured an
allowance last spring at Keeneland and could make a place for himself in the
bottom of the gimmicks. ART VARIETY (Brz) (Pleasant Variety) seems to have lost
a step since last season, but did record a nice 111 Late Pace figure in the Pan
American last out and might grab part returning to Keeneland (3-2-0-1).

STAGE CALL (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) improved dramatically in his first start for
trainer Jonathan Sheppard last out in the Pan American, but we don’t think he’ll
do so again here. BRICKELL (Deputy Minister) is an allowance winner and might be
out of his class against these at this time. SALFORD CITY (Ire) (Desert Sun
[GB]) seems to prefer shorter distances. ROCHESTER (Green Dancer) was a nice
second last year in the Elkhorn but will be making his seasonal bow in this spot
and probably needs a race.

MACAW (Ire) (Bluebird) and CLASSIC PIPER (Sky Classic) are on the
also-eligibles list and will have to draw in. Of the two, Macaw could probably
threaten in the top three, but Classic Piper doesn’t look fast enough to
challenge in this spot.