Miami Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $100,000 Miami Mile H. (G3) at Calder will feature a full field of 12, and
SOLDIER’S DANCER (Lost Soldier) is the logical 5-2 favorite on the morning line.
However, a mile probably isn’t his best distance, and we’ll try to beat him with
MAGIC MECKE (Mecke).

The eight-year-old hasn’t started since finishing fourth to Dancing Forever
(Rahy) in the Our Dear Peggy S. in December, but Magic Mecke has proven himself
off lengthy layoffs in the past, winning off an eight-month rest last year. Four-for-six at a mile, the three-time stakes victor owns excellent BRIS Late Pace
ratings and should be able to secure a favorable stalking trip from the rail
under Eddie Castro. We’ll look for him to get first run on Soldier’s Dancer and
post a mild upset.

Soldier’s Dancer merits serious respect. He’s never run at a mile, recording
his last three victories at nine furlongs, but his class edge might be enough to
overcome that potential obstacle. The four-year-old gelding will enter this
event on the upswing for trainer David Vivian, winning the P.T.H.A. President’s
Cup S. in superb fashion last time, and he likes the turf at Calder (7-3-2-0).
It will be no surprise to see him in the winner’s circle.

FAIR WEATHER STAN (Tiger Ridge) owns some exotics appeal off a solid
runner-up effort versus allowance/optional claiming rivals. He needed that start
off a lengthy layoff, and the four-year-old gelding owns some back class,
winning the Needles S. and placing third in the Calder Derby (G3). The David
Braddy pupil will bring a respectable 10-3-2-2 turf mark at Calder into this
event, and he could come running late for a minor award.

A. P. MAGIC (A.P. Indy) is three-for-three over Calder’s turf, most recently
garnering an allowance/optional claiming event, and two-for-two at the distance.
He didn’t fare well in his lone previous stakes attempt on the turf, but he
gained valuable seasoning and owns room for further improvement for trainer Alan Benning. A. P. Magic is a logical top-three contender. GREYCLIFF EXCHANGE
(Exchange Rate) has been running well on the turf and Polytrack at Arlington,
and the gray colt will likely be a forward factor on Saturday. The allowance
veteran will be tested for class in this spot, but we won’t be surprised to see
him claim a small share based on his encouraging recent form.

WISE RIVER (Belong to Me) exits an upset score in the Robert F. Carey
Memorial H. (G3) at Hawthorne, but he is saddled with a tough outside post here and
won’t offer any value as the likely second choice. He’s not been the most
consistent performer for Clark Hanna, and we’ll try to beat him in this spot.
MR. SILVER (Concorde’s Tune) is another one to consider for the gimmicks. Even
though he’s most successful in one-turn races, the Ed Plesa Jr. charge is a threat
to handle the stretch out off his runner-up effort in the 7 1/2-furlong The Vid
S. He’s still got some class concerns, but we can’t completely count him out.

JUSTIN RULES (Mr. Greeley) lacks stakes experience and must break from post
12. We can’t recommend his chances. IT’S A BIRD (Birdonthewire) is cross-entered
to the Spend a Buck H. (G3) later on the card, and he’s definitely had more
success on the main track. We’ll just watch to see how he fares if he lands in
this spot.

QUISTOPHER (Middlesex Drive) will show speed from his inside post but will
likely have a difficult time sustaining it. Presque Isle Downs shipper HONEST
TRIP (Trippi) owns no turf experience and will enter this event in poor form.
SERAPI CAT (Wind Whipper) doesn’t look fast enough to challenge.

MARNESIA’S BOY (Halo’s Image), HOW’S YOUR HALO (Halo’s Image) and REXSON’S
ROSE (Suave Prospect) are all on the also-eligibles list, and none of them
appear to own a good chance if they draw into the race.