McKnight

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS

PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem) seeks to put himself into Calder lore when
seeking an unprecedented third consecutive triumph in Saturday’s $150,000 W.L.
McKnight H. (G2) over 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Upset winner of the last two
editions, Presious Passion figures to be heavily favored as the six-year-old
could not be doing any better and is in peak form for trainer Mary Hartmann. In
addition to wins in the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (G1) and United
Nations S. (G1) this season, Presious Passion ran perhaps the greatest race in
defeat in Breeders’ Cup history when setting a blistering pace and only missing
in the Turf (G1) by a half-length to champion Conduit (Ire). He looks tough to
beat here.

Another veteran gelding going good now is former Canadian champ CLOUDY’S
KNIGHT (Lord Avie). Now trained by Jonathan Sheppard, the nine-year-old captured
the Kentucky Cup Turf (G3) in September off a year-long layoff, added the
Sycamore S. (G3), missed in a photo in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon and prevailed
in the marathon Valedictory S. at Woodbine last time. The surface and distance
is simply no obstacle for this contender.

WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]), a mere head behind Cloudy’s Knight in the
Sycamore last time, appears to have regained the form that saw him win the 2008
Secretariat S. (G1). Though winless since then, both his Sycamore and a runner-up
effort in the Bowling Green H. (G2) two back were quite strong.

SPICE ROUTE (GB) (King’s Best) was a much-improved third in the Red Smith H.
(G2) last time, and proved his fondness for the Calder turf when taking the
Tropical Turf H. (G3) a year ago. He hasn’t won since then, but he’s an
intriguing entrant at a price. WARNING ZONE (Chester House) is unraced since
taking the Sunset H. (G2) in July 2008, and probably is in need of a race facing
such a strong group. He now resides in the barn of Marty Wolfson, who typically
works magic in getting new acquisitions to win off the bench.

The remainder of the McKnight field looks outclassed on paper. Brazilian
Group 1 winner MR. UNIVERSO (Brz) (Roi Normand) is winless in 10 U.S.
appearances but was a close fourth in the Red Smith last time. SILVER MOUNTAIN
(Victory Gallop) and LIVINGSTON STREET (Mr. Livingston) are both Grade 3-placed
this year, while IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY (Wild Event) has placed in both prior starts
over the local lawn. None of these, however, have the look of more than a minor
player.

Further down the pecking order are NEW FANDAN (Brz) (Fantastic Dancer), who
was unplaced twice this year when running for a $16,000 tag, and MEMORIAL MANIAC
(Lear Fan), who exits a fifth in starter allowance at Churchill.