TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
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EXCELSIOR BREEDERS’ CUP H. (G3), 10TH-AQU, $200,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8M, 5:42 P.M. EDT, 4-7 |
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| PP | HORSE | TRAINER | JOCKEY | WT |
| 1 |
CORINTHIAN |
JERKENS JAMES A |
CASTELLANO J J |
119 |
| 2 |
ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD |
CONTESSA GARY C |
LUZZI M J |
114 |
| 3 |
NAUGHTY NEW YORKER |
KELLY PATRICK J |
SAMYN J L |
115 |
| 4 |
MAGNA GRADUATE |
PLETCHER TODD A |
VELAZQUEZ J R |
118 |
| 5 |
HAPPY HUNTING |
MCGAUGHEY CLAUDE III |
ARROYO N JR | 115 |
| 6 |
EVENING ATTIRE |
KELLY PATRICK J |
ESPINOZA J L |
116 |
CORINTHIAN (Pulpit) is the top draw in Saturday’s $200,000 Excelsior
Breeders’ Cup H. (G3), one of three graded stakes on the Wood Memorial (G1)
undercard at Aqueduct. The Gulfstream Park H. (G2) winner will face only five
rivals in the 1 1/8-mile event, but he definitely owns an edge with BRIS Speed
ratings of 108 and 105 in his last two races.
Two starts back, Corinthian returned off a lengthy layoff with a
scintillating performance at Gulfstream Park, defeating Belmont S. (G1) victor
Jazil (Seeking the Gold) by an emphatic 9 1/2 lengths. Last out in the 1 3/16-mile Gulfstream Park H.,
Corinthian got a little weary in the latter stages, but he still held
determinedly for the neck decision. With trainer James Jerkens bringing him back
off a 35-day freshening, those races don’t appear to have taken much out of
Corinthian, and he could prove much the best in this spot. The chestnut will
race close to the pace with his tactical speed before offering his rally.
MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades) has the best chance at an upset. The
five-year-old rebounded from a dismal effort in the Donn H. (G1) to easily
capture the Razorback Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park last out, and he’ll
probably show speed under John Velazquez on Saturday. The classy Todd Pletcher
runner must be respected, but he won’t get away to an uncontested early
advantage.
EVENING ATTIRE (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) went a long time between trips to the
winner’s circle, but the nine-year-old gelding finally made a triumphant return
in the March 3 Stymie H., posting a 2 1/4-length decision. Trained by Pat Kelly,
the gray Grade 1 winner had trouble breaking from the starting gate last year,
but everything went smoothly last time. The veteran could offer a late run for a
minor award here.
HAPPY HUNTING (Seeking the Gold) returned from a nine-month vacation to post
a sharp win over allowance/optional claiming rivals last time. The six-year-old
may continue to show more for Shug McGaughey later this year, but this distance
may not be right for him.
ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD (Successful Appeal) is a confirmed front runner taking a step
up in class. We can’t endorse the New York-bred’s chances. The uncoupled NAUGHTY NEW
YORKER (Quiet American) appears to be off form for Kelly.
| TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: | 1st-CORINTHIAN | |
| 2nd-MAGNA GRADUATE | ||
| 3rd-EVENING ATTIRE |