Swale

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The amazingly fast LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Solider) should crush his rivals as
the prohibitive odds-on favorite in Saturday’s Swale S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
The Northern California-based colt was extremely impressive winning the Sunshine
Millions Dash by a widening 4 1/2 lengths over this surface on January 29. The
dark bay colt didn’t break particularly well but quickly took the lead in a few
strides, reeling off fast fractions of :22, :44 3/5 and :57 before stopping
the clock in 1:09 4/5 for the six-furlong distance. Lost in the Fog, who has won
his three career starts by a combined 26 3/4 lengths, is tactically drawn on the
outside and has been working like a machine since his most recent outing. If he
performs as expected, trainer Greg Gilchrist said that he would put the colt on
the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail and stretch him out to two turns for his next
start. As usual, Russell Baze rides.

It’s not often you see trainer Steve Asmussen ship a horse from Louisiana to
Florida twice in five weeks, but that’s what he is doing with SANTANA SPRINGS
(Wheaton), so you know that the colt must be doing well. The chestnut had
trouble at the start, then rallied for runner-up honors to the one above in the
Sunshine Millions Dash in his last start. John Velazquez, who rode him in the
Dash, returns in the saddle. Our only concern is the inside draw.

STRAIGHT LINE (Boundary) closed out his juvenile campaign with a dominating
five-length victory in the one-turn, one-mile Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill
Downs. The dark bay has plenty of talent and will add first-time Lasix, but this
is a tough spot for his three-year-old debut. Nonetheless, this is the best
horse veteran trainer Harvey Vanier has had in quite some time, so he merits
respect.

Canadian stakes winner WHAT’S UP DUDE (Furiously) has been working lights out
at the Nelson Jones Farm and Training Center and shipped in to work five-eighths
out of the gate in :59 4/5 over this surface on February 21. He could get a
piece at large odds if he can work out a trip from the rail. Sapling S. (G3)
winner EVIL MINISTER (Deputy Minister) likes to rally from off the pace and
picks up Jerry Bailey. The chestnut has been training well for his return to
action and could add value to the exotics.

Undefeated PORT TOWN (Louis Quatorze) won both his starts at Calder last
year, including a daylight victory at 1-10 against first-level allowance foes.
He zipped six furlongs out of the gate in 1:11 3/5 on Monday and is out of the
useful mare Victorian Angel (Vice Regent), so consider for a share. The extra
speedy MORE SMOKE (Smoke Glacken) figures to give Lost in the Fog a tussle on
the front end and could hold on for a part. AROUND THE CAPE (Carson
City) is two-for-two sprinting over this surface and is trained by the
ever-dangerous Bill Mott. Another one to consider for the exotics.

The New York-bred UP LIKE THUNDER (War Chant) is trained by sophomore
specialist Nick Zito, so it wouldn’t be a total surprise if he hits the board.
UNITED (Dixie Union) was a useful juvenile but may be better suited for turf
routes. B TRICK (Phone Trick) broke his maiden at Charles Town last out and is
overmatched.