Razorback

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

ROCKPORT HARBOR (Unbridled’s Song) will have to be caught in Sunday’s
$150,000 Razorback Breeders’ Cup H. (G3). The four-year-old raced four times in 2004, winning
the nine-furlong Remsen S. (G2) and one-mile Nashua S. (G3) in New York, but
started only twice as a three-year-old, concluding with a sixth over a sloppy
track last April. He returned off the lengthy layoff in the Essex H. (G3) last
month and sprinted to a clear lead, setting the pace in :24 and :48 before being
caught in upper stretch.

The John Servis-trained gray could have folded, but Rockport Harbor had enough
in reserve to battle back and prevail going away by 2 1/4 lengths in the Essex. He remains at
the 1 1/16-mile distance on Sunday and has shown a liking for Oaklawn.
Additionally, Rockport Harbor could wind up being the lone speed under Stewart
Elliott. Whether chasing or leading the way, we expect him to improve off his
last start with a Razorback victory.

GREATER GOOD (Intidab) nailed Rockport Harbor late to win the Rebel S. (G3)
nearly 12 months ago, but he’s unplaced in five starts since. We can write off
some of those efforts, and his non-threatening fifth in the Essex will probably
lead to some value. Greater Good was making his first start off a freshening
last time and wound up in tight quarters during the race. He was beaten only 4
1/2 lengths in a even effort, and the bay ridgling has worked well twice since
then for Bob Holthus, including a six-furlong bullet (fastest of six at the
distance) in 1:13 last Sunday. Greater Good will have the opportunity on Sunday
to recapture some past glory with a much better effort for second

REAL DANDY (Yankee Victor) is also capable of more than he showed when
seventh in the Essex. Conditioned by Steve Asmussen, the West Virginia Derby
(G3) winner has earned respectable BRIS numbers in the past and wrapped up his
sophomore campaign with a convincing tally in the Zia Park Derby in early
December. He was flat last time, but Asmussen takes the blinkers off and the
late-running Real Dandy could get a little more pace up front.

PURIM (Dynaformer) is a threat. When racing on the turf last season, he
captured the Arlington Classic (G3) and finished second by a nose in the
American Derby (G2). The Tom Proctor charge has also made a successful
transition to dirt, earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating for a good second to Sir
Shackleton (Miswaki) in the Super S. at Tampa Bay Downs last out. The dark bay
stretches out to a more favorable distance and owns the tactical speed to
receive a favorable trip. Purim could prove to be a serious factor from midpack.

THUNDER MISSION (Pulpit) rallied to be a fine second in the Essex most
recently and is 2-1-0 in three starts since moving to trainer Ralph Nicks. We
can’t envision him reproducing his last, but Thunder Mission remains eligible to
carry his form forward with another placing. ARCH HALL (Archers Bay) is lightly
raced since 2004 and has done most of his work at Woodbine. While he opened his
five-year-old campaign with a sharp allowance score in Hot Springs, Arkansas,
last out and owns hot connections (Tony Reinstedler is winning at a 31 percent
clip this meet), the five-year-old faces a difficult-looking class hike. We
can’t dismiss him from exotics consideration but can’t use everybody.

CHIPPEWA TRAIL (General Royal) owns lower Speed numbers and doesn’t bring
encouraging form into this event. PRINCE T. (Royal Anthem) will probably find
this company too difficult.