Robert F. Carey Memorial

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $100,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial H. (G3) came up tough with nine
runners entered for the one-mile test on Hawthorne’s turf, and we’ll select
QUITE A HANDFUL (Mutakddim) for a minor upset. Listed at 10-1 on the morning
line, the four-year-old colt was no match for his rivals in the Arlington
Million (G1) two starts back, but he rebounded with an encouraging third versus
stakes rivals at Remington Park and showed an affinity for the local course last
fall, finishing third in the Hawthorne Derby (G3).

Quite a Handful ran well at a mile last season, easily winning an
allowance/optional claiming event at Arlington prior to a runner-up in the
Oliver S. at Indiana Downs, but the Andrew Hansen trainee has been competing at
longer distances in his last six outings. We like the cutback in distance, his
BRIS numbers are solid and the chestnut is favorably drawn in post 2. He’ll be
running late under regular rider Tanner Riggs.

TYBALT (Storm Cat), who has earned BRIS Late Pace ratings of 111 and 106 in
recent starts, figures to be running late under Michael Baze. The six-year-old
hasn’t displayed much of a winning attitude, coming up short in his last four
attempts against stakes rivals, but he’s eligible to break through here for
Michael Stidham. We’ll use him in all multi-race wagers.

WISE RIVER (Belong to Me), winner of the 2008 Carey, is the horse to beat.
The likely favorite recorded a nice score in the Dallas Turf Cup H. two back,
but he’ll be returning from a three-month freshening here and hasn’t had much
success off layoffs in the past. The Clark Hanna trainee owns good tactical
speed, but this race could easily set up for a closer given the presence of TAWAARED (Unbridled’s Song) and EXCHANGING KISSES (Exchange Rate). We’ll include
the seven-year-old Wise River on the bottom of the top three.

VANQUISHER (Gulch) has won three straight at Mountaineer Park and Colonial
Downs, but he’s poorly drawn in post 9 and didn’t run well over the course in
the 2008 Carey. The six-year-old gelding remains a top contender for at least
part, but he figures to get overbet due to his current form. We’ll try to beat
him.

Tawaared has run away from the competition in his last three starts on
Arlington’s turf and merits a look in his first stakes attempt. The Dan Peitz
pupil is a threat to carry his sharp form forward, especially if Exchanging
Kisses scratches in favor of a softer spot, so consider for a top-three placing. CABERNEIGH (E Dubai) exits a victory at Saratoga in which he was claimed for
$50,000. The stalker will return to graded stakes company in commendable form
for new conditioner Leo Gabriel Jr., recording a 2-1-0 mark in his last three
starts, and this isn’t much of a class hike. He may prefer a little more ground,
but we can’t dismiss his chances for a minor award.

AMAZING RESULTS (Grand Slam) has run well at Hawthorne (2-1-1-0) and the
multiple stakes winner is eligible to outperform our expectations. But we can’t
recommend his chances off his last two efforts. Exchanging Kisses is probably in
too tough. MY SONNY BOY (Royal Academy) doesn’t look fast enough to challenge.