Tropical Turf H. (G3)

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An overflow field of 13 has been entered for Saturday’s $100,000 Tropical
Turf H. (G3) at Calder, and HOTSTUFANTHENSOME (Awesome Again) is poised to round
out his good year with another win. Trained by Norman Pointer, the bay gelding
captured the Elkwood S. earlier in the season before running a close second in
the Oceanport S. (G3) at Monmouth Park. After a nice sixth to Leroidesanimaux
(Brz) in the Fourstardave H. (G2), Hotstufanthensome took a slight break before
reappearing two months later in the Cliff Hanger S. (G3) last out. In that one,
the five-year-old earned across-the-board century-topping BRIS numbers with a 14
1/2 length score. He’s been working well at Calder to prepare for this one and
owns a win at the nine-furlong distance. Hotstufanthensome will be tough on the
front end with Rajiv Maragh in the irons.

SILVER TREE (Hennessy) is the class of this field, competing against some of
the best in his division throughout the year and holding his own. The Bill
Mott-trained five-year-old was most recently seen running second in the Bonnie
Heath Turf Cup H. over the course, where he earned a 102 BRIS Speed figure for
his game rally. He ran a close second to Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) hero Artie
Schiller (El Prado [Ire]) in the Bernard Baruch H. (G2) in August, and has
been posting some nice workouts at Payson Park Training Center of late, most
recently getting four furlongs in a bullet :49 3/5. The chestnut ran second by
just a neck in this race last year and could improve that placing with Jerry
Bailey back in the irons on Saturday.

SAINT STEPHEN (Saint Ballado) is a game veteran who returned to stakes
competition in the June 11 Manhattan H. (G1) last out. He ran a close sixth,
just three lengths back of the winner, while earning a 99 Speed rating and prior
to that was undefeated for the year in three starts. A full brother to champion
Ashado, the Christophe Clement
charge owns both the BRIS numbers and experience to take this one with Joe Bravo
aboard.

BOB’S PROUD MOMENT (Proud and True) could show marked improvement with a
return to the turf here. The Douglas Potter-trained four-year-old won the Miami
Mile Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) in September over the course before finishing a close fourth in
the Flying Pidgeon H. in his last turf race. The dark bay colt was last seen
running seventh in another stakes event, but that came on the main track at
Calder and is an obvious throw out. Bob’s Proud Moment owns a nice early turn of
hoof, as evidenced by his triple-digit BRIS E2 Pace ratings, and could surprise
here with the win.

SETTLE UP (Kris S.) is moving up here after spending much of the year running
against allowance rivals. His numbers aren’t quite as high as we’d like, but the
Shug McGaughey trainee still seems to find the top three in many of his starts.
He could show up in the exotics at a nice price under Mike Smith. ICY ATLANTIC
(Stormy Atlantic) was second in the Cliff Hanger and a close fourth in an
optional claimer in his last two and could earn part here. KEEP COOL (Frosty the
Snowman) could get away on an uncontested lead and, though we don’t think he’ll
be getting his picture taken, the bay five-year-old could still hang around at
the end to earn a check.

STORMY RAY (Storm Creek) was third to our top pick in the Cliff Hanger two
back, then stretched out a bit more when fifth in the John Henry S. last out. He
might not be on the same level as others in here. NOBLE MASTERPIECE (Regal
Classic) hasn’t been able to challenge against graded company in the past and
may not be able to do so here either. COINTREAU (Hennessy) may not be fast
enough to keep up with these. DEMETEOR (Dehere) has not threatened in stakes
races this year and might need an easier spot. SUPERVISOR (Skip Trial)
has been competitive on the dirt, where he’s spent much of his career, and his
connections may be hoping this one comes off the green.

WHOS CRYING NOW (Concerto) is an also-eligible entrant who would be tough if
this event got switched to the dirt and he drew in.