TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
| LECOMTE S.
(G3), 9TH-FG, $100,000, 3YO, 1M, 4:22 P.M. EST, 1-15 |
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| PP | HORSE | TRAINER | JOCKEY | WT |
| 1 |
MAJOR LEAGUE |
MURPHY PAUL H |
LANERIE C J |
122 |
| 2 |
KANSAS CITY BOY |
MCPEEK KENNETH G |
MARQUEZ C H JR |
114 |
| 3 |
SILVER HAZE |
WREN STEVE |
PERRODIN E J |
114 |
| 4 |
BILOXI PALACE |
PEITZ DAN C |
CASTELLANO J J |
114 |
| 5 |
SMOOTH BID |
ASMUSSEN STEVEN M |
BAILEY J D |
122 |
| 6 |
STORM SURGE |
STEWART DALLAS |
ALBARADO R J |
122 |
STORM SURGE (Storm Cat) appears to be the controlling speed in Saturday’s
$100,000 LeComte S. (G3) and is difficult to go against. The dark bay colt
showed an affinity for the Fair Grounds oval when easily winning the six-furlong
Sugar Bowl S. last out, earning a field-best 100 BRIS Speed rating, and the
Dallas Stewart trainee faces a mostly unproven group of rivals. Storm Surge may
struggle with longer distances against better company, but we’ll look for smooth
sailing at a mile on Saturday.
KANSAS CITY BOY (Boston Harbor) finally put it all together when dominating a
maiden special weight event by 8 1/4 lengths at Churchill Downs and has trained
forwardly since then in Florida for conditioner Kenny McPeek. His Speed and BRIS Pace
numbers increased when stretching out to two turns for the first time in his
last start and Kansas City Boy may continue to show more against winners. We
give him the best chance at an upset.
BILOXI PALACE (Seattle Slew) may have lost his focus when swooping to a clear
lead in an optional-claiming event last time because he shortened stride and was
almost caught on the wire. That was his first start at a route and we can
understand those who will question him at a route, but the Dan Peitz charge
gained valuable experience and may continue to show more off that effort,
especially when traveling only eight furlongs like he will on Saturday. From the
last crop of sire Seattle Slew, Biloxi Palace has run at Fair Grounds
(two-for-two) and owns a good shot at a top three finish here.
SILVER HAZE (Silver Deputy) exits a game allowance score over the track and
has run well at a mile (2-1-1-0). The stalker will need to improve to be a
factor at this level, but a top three placing could be within his grasp. SMOOTH
BID (Rubiano) gets the services of Jerry Bailey and has won his last two starts,
but the Steve Asmussen-trained gray steps up in company off his last win at
Remington Park. The late runner could close for a small slice, but he’s never
earned a Speed rating higher than 86 and we’ll go against here. MAJOR LEAGUE
(Magic Cat) has never won on the dirt and comes off a very dull showing at Delta
Downs. He could find this company too difficult.
| TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: | 1st-STORM SURGE | |
| 2nd-KANSAS CITY BOY | ||
| 3rd-BILOXI PALACE |