Appleton

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Gulfstream Park will run the 54th running of the $100,000 Appleton H. (G3)
Saturday and HOST (Chi) (Hussonet) comes into the race as the 5-2
morning-line favorite. The Todd Pletcher trainee has won his last two, the
Knickerbocker H. (G2) and Tropical Turf H. (G3), and comes into the event off a two-month
layoff. The chestnut is victorious in two of his three starts at Saturday’s
one-mile distance, both of which came in his native land of Chile. The
five-year-old has yet to place off the board since moving north and should put
together an excellent performance on the South Florida turf under jockey
Christopher DeCarlo.

GULCH APPROVAL (Gulch) bobbled his start in the Kelso Breeders’ Cup H. (G2)
in his last appearance in October, but still managed to hang on for third. He
has good speed on the backside with seven of his last eight races resulting in BRIS E2 Pace ratings
over the century mark. Gulch Approval, who is one of two
uncoupled entries for trainer Nick Zito, should put that speed to good use here. Edgar Prado will ride.

MILLENNIUM DRAGON (GB) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) also comes off a four-month
layoff after coming up just short in the Kelso. The five-year-old won his only start
on the Gulfstream turf, a 1 1/4-length victory in last year’s edition of the
Appleton. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has put together four wins with his past 10
starters and finds himself in a good position for another victory here. Richard
Migliore has the call.

FREEFOURINTERNET (Tabasco Cat) has earned some impressive Late Pace numbers, which should
put him near the top of the field if he fires his best shot. Trained by Michael Maker, the seven-year-old
just missed in the Ft. Lauderdale S. last time, earning a 105 BRIS Speed figure from the back of the pack.
Look for Freefourinternet to
finish strong in the end with Jorge Chavez.

MR. LIGHT (Arg) (Numerous) is three for three on the Gulfstream sod,
including a victory at one mile against allowance company in January.
The Angel Penna charge will break from the rail post position, which has a
surprisingly poor win percentage this meet, but the six-year-old
still owns a good chance to finish well in this one. QUEST (Seeking the Gold) has
posted nice Speed figures on the dirt, but hasn’t managed to put anything
together on the turf. He is the second of Zito’s entries and has never managed
to hit the board in two grass efforts.

SPRUCE RUN (Repriced) ran well last out, but drifted in the late stages of
the race and wound up fifth. He cuts back in distance here, which should benefit
him. The Linda Rice pupil has only managed to record one victory in 10 starts on
the Hallandale, Florida course, however, and will be tested for class. REMIND
(Deputy Minister) returns off a long layoff and didn’t have much success at this
level last year. He could need a race. SETTLE UP (Kris S.) will make his first
run against stakes company here. He has good late speed, but it may not be
enough.