Commonwealth

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Just five are signed on to travel seven panels on Polytrack in the $200,000
Commonwealth S. (G2) at Keeneland on Saturday. RAVALO (Mutakddim) is the class
and speed of the field, and he’ll have to run something less than his best to be
toppled here. Three for five on synthetic tracks, the Donald Barr trainee always
tries hard, compiling 14 wins in 31 career starts, and owns top BRIS Speed and
Pace numbers. He dueled through fast fractions when finishing a solid fourth
against a much deeper field in this event last year and should be unopposed on
the front end this time around, so we’ll tab him beneath John Velazquez.

Grade 2 runner-up IMPERIAL COUNCIL (Empire Maker) almost got top billing from
us and would be no surprise in the winner’s circle at the conclusion of this for
trainer Shug McGaughey. Third in his two tries at four following a lengthy
absence, the colt put in a nice half-mile drill over this strip for a trainer
who often has very good results at this meeting. Julien Leparoux has the
assignment on the stalker.

NOT FOR SILVER (Silver Deputy) made his last appearance on this track when a
good second to a nice one in the Perryville S. (G3) for conditioner Michael
Trombetta. The Grade 2-winning four-year-old posted a pair of bullet drills over
this oval but may not get a suitable pace, which would hurt his chances for the
top prize.

TOGETHER INDY (Not for Love) didn’t factor in his seasonal debut when last in
the Appleton S. (G3) on the Gulfstream sod, but we’re intrigued that trainer
George Weaver is ambitiously placing this four-year-old after his last and
giving him a chance in a wide-open contest. The New Jersey-bred four-year-old
has never beaten open company in four tries and would need a career best to top
these, but we don’t discount horses like this from winning at Keeneland.

CONGRESSIONAL PAGE (Orientate) got our attention when battling bravely to be
second in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship S. (G2) two back for Michael
Trombetta. The gelded five-year-old has kept excellent company this season and
is clearly talented, but we have concerns about his lack of a start upon a
synthetic strip. Javier Castellano will guide the Kentucky-bred.