Northern Dancer J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A trio of Kentucky Derby (G1) competitors will face-off in the $175,000
Northern Dancer S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, led by Steve Asmussen’s
PYRO (Pulpit). The dark bay colt, who was among everyone’s Kentucky Derby (G1) favorites for
the majority of the spring, has been freshened for this event and rates as our
top pick on this day. The talented Kentucky-bred has a superb late kick and
reverts back to a distance which likely suits him best, and we feel that his
best will be too much for this group late. Regular pilot Shaun Bridgmohan will
once again be on the fast finisher.

RECAPTURTHEGLORY (Cherokee Run) came from nowhere in March to a brief lead at
the top of the lane in the Derby for Louis Roussel III, winning the Illinois
Derby (G2) along the way. The bay colt, who was a good second in his first effort
over this strip last November, missed the Preakness (G1) and Belmont S. (G1) due
to a fever, but that may be a blessing in disguise as he appears poised for a
big summer campaign. The Kentucky-bred has excellent tactical speed and may be
the one to catch turning for home beneath E. T. Baird.

We’ve always liked UNBRIDLED VICAR (Vicar), and we’ll give the Gregory Geier
trainee a shot to upset this field at big odds. The gelded sophomore had a
fairly productive spring, finishing second by a head to recent Belmont S. (G1)
runner-up Denis of Cork (Harlan’s Holiday), posting a whopping 114 BRIS Late
Pace number when a rallying fourth in the Risen Star S. (G3) and, most recently,
topping an allowance group in a good prep for this event. The dark bay will need
some pace help to set up his late run, but his third in an allowance sprint over
this track as a juvenile signaled his affinity for this oval. Calvin Borel will
be in the irons.

MY PAL CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) surprised when finishing second in the
Louisiana Derby (G2) at big odds but has yet to build on that event for
conditioner Albert Stall. The late-blooming colt has posted BRIS Speed numbers
of 93 or better in five consecutive outings, and he could be the early leader in
the field. If jockey Jamie Theriot can navigate a soft early tempo, the bay
could hang around for a long time.

VISIONAIRE (Grand Slam) was a non-threatening 12th in the Derby and makes his
first start since for trainer Michael Matz. The chestnut colt, who won the
Gotham S. (G3) and finished third in the Risen Star, is proven against this
caliber and looms as a logical top-three contender in this field. We don’t endorse the
stretch-runner for the top spot, but his best can yield a top-three placing under
Garrett Gomez.

TEXAS WILDCATTER (Monarchos) ran an even sixth in the Lone Star Derby (G3)
last out and is another gimmicks player in here for Todd Pletcher. The gray
colt, who finished a game second in the Gotham, is still a bit unproven against
this quality of runners and will need improvement to hit the board, but he’s not
that far off many of these and his best could be enough to complete the trifecta.
Julien Leparoux will ride.

TIZ NOW TIZ THEN (Tiznow) showed good late energy in his dirt debut last out
over a sloppy oval and is coming to hand in a big way for conditioner Eoin Harty.
The dark bay colt still has a way to go in order to challenge this deep field,
and we’ll leave him off our tickets in this one. However, we’ll tab the colt for future
endeavors.