TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
| SWAPS BREEDERS’ CUP S.
(G2), 7TH-HOL, $400,000, 3YO, 1 1/8M, 4:23 P.M. PDT, 7-9 |
||||
| PP |
HORSE |
TRAINER |
JOCKEY |
WT |
| 1 |
OLD MAN RIVER |
KNIGHT TERRY |
BAZE T C |
112 |
| 2 |
DOVER DERE |
O’NEILL DOUG |
VALENZUELA P A |
112 |
| 3 |
ROBADOR |
HARTY EOIN |
VALDIVIA J JR |
120 |
| 4 |
YES HE’S A PISTOL |
GALLAGHER PATRICK |
SORENSON D |
112 |
| 5 |
SURF CAT |
HEADLEY BRUCE |
SOLIS A |
112 |
| 6 |
DON’T GET MAD |
ELLIS RONALD W |
STEVENS G L |
120 |
| 7 |
INDIAN OCEAN |
ROBBINS JAY M |
COURT J K |
118 |
| 8 |
KHYBER PASS |
CERIN VLADIMIR |
FLORES D R |
112 |
Saturday’s Swaps Breeders’ Cup S. (G2), which has been won in the recent past
by such useful sorts as Came Home, Congaree and Cat Thief, brings together eight
three-year-olds vying for graded glory over nine furlongs on the Hollywood Gold
Cup (G1) undercard. DON’T GET MAD (Stephen Got Even), easily the most the
accomplished closer, is clearly the one to beat, but has some questions.
The Bruce Headley-trained SURF CAT (Sir Cat) got hung four wide around both
turns before finishing a close second to INDIAN OCEAN (Stormy Atlantic) in the four-horse,
1 1/16-mile Affirmed H. (G3) last out. The dark bay gets a seven pound shift in
the weights and figures to improve sharply in his second start around two turns.
Surf Cat rates a slight nod under Alex Solis and a feathery 112 pounds.
Indian Ocean was defeated by Surf Cat in his debut, then reeled off three
straight, including a victory in the Affirmed. The Jay Robbins trainee is
unbeaten in two starts going long and was a determined winner of the Affirmed,
holding off the one above by a neck. He rates a serious threat despite picking
up three pounds and carrying 118 total.
In a race with plenty of early pace, Don’t Get Mad is a serious late runner.
The Ron Ellis trainee made a sweeping move from well back to impressively win
the 1 1/16-mile Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) by open lengths after
finishing a strong fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The primary knock is that
all four of his career wins have been at Churchill Downs, so whether or not he
can win over another track remains to be seen. A horse for a course? An
underlay? We shall see.
OLD MAN RIVER (Event of the Year), unbeaten in two starts — a six-furlong
sprint and a two-turn turf allowance in Northern California — is an interesting longshot. He projects an inside stalking trip and could earn a slice with
continued improvement.
DOVER DERE (Cherokee Run) is a seasoned stakes competitor who likes to hit
the board. He is well drawn near the inside under Pat Valenzuela and looks
useful for the single-race exotics. KHYBER PASS (Running Stag) won his second
start on dirt around two turns in his latest and figures to be in the mix early
from the far outside. He could stick around for a small share.
YES HE’S A PISTOL (Yes It’s True) finished second to eventual Illinois Derby
(G2) winner Greeley’s Galaxy (Mr. Greeley) three back and exits a wide trip in
the Lone Star Derby (G3). He could rebound for a small check. ROBADOR (Robannier)
won the restricted Snow Chief S. at this trip in April, then finished a distant
fifth in the Peter Pan S. (2) at Belmont Park last out. He might be better off
running with state-breds.
| TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: | 1st-SURF CAT | |
| 2nd-INDIAN OCEAN | ||
| 3rd-DON’T GET MAD |