Shadwell Turf Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Dual Champion GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) is the one to beat in the
six-horse, $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday.
Conditioned by Christophe Clement, the electric five-year-old has had a
productive, if not stellar, 2010 campaign to this point, running a handful of
solid races against the best competition he could find. We were super-impressed
with his run in the recent Arlington Million (G1) when he circled the field and
went last-to-first in the matter of a few jumps, only to be collared late over a
good course. Cutting back to one mile could be a concern for the Kentucky-bred,
but he’s all class and we can’t go against him despite the strong foes he faces.

Surging turf performer GET STORMY (Stormy Atlantic) is proven at the distance
and over this oval, and he comes in with seven wins from his last eight outings
for trainer Tom Bush. The bay four-year-old has very good tactical speed and is
well drawn on the inside, so if can settle in behind a fast tempo early he
should be in the mix for a nice payday late.

Blue-blooded Grade 2 winner COURAGEOUS CAT (Storm Cat) was second in the 2009
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) but has raced just twice since for Hall of Fame trainer
Bill Mott. Unraced since a try in Dubai in March, the four-year-old clearly has
a ton of talent but is being asked to do a lot off the lengthy break in here. We
still consider the colt a threat, though.

We’ve long liked SOCIETY’S CHAIRMAN (Not Impossible [Ire]) and we know that
the seven-year-old enjoys running on this lawn, but we don’t envision him
winning a Grade 1 race in this spot. Consider for the bottom of the exotics.

Del Mar Mile H. (G2) victor ENRICHED (High Brite) had everything his own way
at Del Mar last out and will need better than his last to challenge for a
placing in here. Grade 3 winner ACTING ZIPPY (City Zip) looks like little more
than a pace presence against these.