My Charmer H. (G3)

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The My Charmer H. (G3) is the first of four $100,000 stakes on Saturday’s
Grand Slam I program at Calder and will feature one of the best fields of the
afternoon. Twelve distaffers have been entered for the 1 1/8-mile turf affair,
highlighted by Grade 1 winners SAND SPRINGS (Dynaformer) and TICKER TAPE (GB)
(Royal Applause [GB]). Despite those accomplishments, we’re giving SPOTLIGHT
(GB) (Dr Fong) top billing.

A winner of her first two U.S. starts last summer, including a 3 1/2-length
romp in the Lake Placid H. (G2), Spotlight wrapped up her sophomore campaign
with a troubled fourth in the Calder Oaks. Returning off a near nine-month layoff in
July, the Christophe Clement charge caught soft turf in two of three starts
before defeating a tough field in the Cicada S. two starts back. Spotlight exits
an excellent second in the Long Island H. (G2), being nipped by a rival to her
inside whom she probably didn’t see, and she’s recorded BRIS Late Pace ratings
of 122, 109 and 108 this season. A three-time winner at the distance, the
chestnut will enter Saturday’s event on the upswing, and she has a lovely
weather forecast and good pace scenario in her favor. Spotlight appears set for
a top performance.

SNOWDROPS (GB) (Gulch) gives Clement a formidable one-two punch. Winner of
the Suwannee River H. (G3) at Gulfstream earlier this year, the five-year-old
gray has often tackled top company over the past two seasons and finished a good
second in last year’s My Charmer. Brice Blanc returns to the saddle for the
first time since that fine effort, and Snowdrops has the BRIS numbers to
challenge for it all. She runs well fresh and must be respected off the 64-day
rest.

Sand Springs recorded wire-to-wire victories in the Diana S. (G1), Just a
Game Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) and Honey Fox H. (G3) in wire-to-wire fashion this
year, but the five-year-old mare will have to rebound off an 11th-place finish
in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) in which she set the early pace. The Bill Mott
trainee has shrugged off poor performances before, winning the Honey Fox off a
disappointing sixth earlier this year, but she’s had a long season. Jerry Bailey
has the mount and is a threat to lead all the way, but we wouldn’t be surprised
to see Sand Springs prove vulnerable at short odds.

Ticker Tape, a multiple Grade 1 heroine for Jim
Cassidy last year, hasn’t displayed the same top-class form at four. There have
been glimpses, including a good third to Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) in the Palomar
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) two starts back, and the bay miss appears to be training
forwardly for her Florida bow. Ticker Tape could put it all together and
challenge for the win, but she drew a poor outside post and might be best used
underneath.

SILVER LACE (Silver Deputy) rallied boldly to just miss in the 7 1/2-furlong
Copano S. last out and should appreciate the added ground here. The
five-year-old mare is winless from two grassy attempts at Calder, but she’s
finished a close third in both recent starts and may continue to show more at
nice odds for conditioner Bennie Stutts in this spot. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan
ended the Churchill meet on fire last weekend, winning three races on closing
day to miss the riding title by only one win, and we’ll use him and Silver Lace
on the bottom of some exotics.

ELLE RUNAWAY (El Prado [Ire]) is an intriguing prospect making her first
start for trainer Marty Wolfson. After racing exclusively at Woodbine in six
starts this season, the sophomore filly shipped to Keeneland for a big effort in
the Valley View S. (G3), rallying wide to the lead in the stretch before falling
short by 2 1/4 lengths. The gray is eligible to keep improving and could sit a
perfect stalking trip under Eddie Castro before advancing.

LA REINA (A.P. Indy) hasn’t performed poorly on the grass this season for
Shug McGaughey and has the class to grab a top-three placing, but we’re
discouraged by the far outside post and are willing to go against. FORMAL MISS (Formal Dinner) owns commendable Late Pace ratings and appears to
be doing well presently for trainer Paul Maxwell, but nine furlongs hasn’t been
an optimum distance (0-for-5) for the five-year-old mare. PATH OF THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) has trainer Todd Pletcher as an advantage,
but she’s saddled with an outside gate (11) and must rebound off a dull
performance in the Violet S. (G3) in late October. The four-year-old hasn’t had
much success against graded company and faces a tough task on Saturday.

FIN (GB) (Groom Dancer), who steps up in class for conditioner Graham Motion,
hasn’t shown enough from four U.S. starts to earn a recommendation. SKIP COMMAND (Skip Away) exits a couple of encouraging performances locally
but has major class concerns in this spot. PATTIANO (Rubiano) could add to the early pace but probably needs an easier
spot.