Count Fleet Sprint

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of eight has been assembled for Thursday’s $150,000
Count Fleet Sprint H. (G3), which is part of the Racing Festival of the South in
Hot Springs, Arkansas. THAT TAT (Faltaat) enters off a sharp score in the Hot
Springs S. for trainer Cole Norman and appears to be in career best form
presently with BRIS Speed ratings of 105, 101 and 100 from his last three
starts. The seven-year-old gelding figures to sit a perfect stalk-and-pounce
trip from post 3 with the two speedballs in the field to his inside and his
affinity for Oaklawn (five wins) can’t be discounted. We’ll give That Tat top
billing.

OLE REBEL (Carson City) merits serious respect. He comes off two sharp
efforts against Gold Storm (Seeking the Gold), who would have been the heavy favorite
here if entered, including the Duncan F. Kenner Breeders’ Cup H. last out at
Fair Grounds in which Ole Rebel missed by only a head, earning a 107 Speed
rating. The Andrew Leggio Jr. charge brings regular rider Corey Lanerie with him
and can be placed anywhere in the early stages of a race with his tactical speed
and fine late kick, but he’s never raced at Oaklawn before. Ole Rebel remains a
top candidate for it all.

TWO DOWN AUTOMATIC (Smoke Glacken) finished second by three parts of a length
to Smarty Jones last year at Oaklawn Park and is a stakes winner over the track.
The four-year-old is probably a little more of a middle-distance specialist, but
we’ll look for him to come running late for a top three finish. The Steve
Asmussen trainee recorded a nice score two starts back in the seven-furlong Sam
Houston Sprint H. and should have plenty of pace here to set up his late rally.

ENGINEERED (Langfuhr) brings a series of century-topping BRIS Late Pace
ratings into this event and must be considered for the exotics. He’ll be
stepping up in class and may not win very often, but the Hal Wiggins-trained
five-year-old can make up a lot of ground in the stretch and has never been off
the board at Oaklawn (5-1-2-2). TOP COMMANDER (Kingmambo), who will run
uncoupled for Norman, figures to come out flying from the start and could hold
for part. The former claimer turned in an impressive performance last time when
crushing allowance rivals in his Hot Springs debut, but he’ll face more early
pressure this time around. If he gets the jump on his rival from the inside, Top
Commander could threaten to steal the race wire to wire.

LEVEL PLAYINGFIELD (Level Sands) will be running late and is another horse
for the course (7-3-1-3). The Bob Holthus runner brings solid numbers into this
affair and could come charging for a top-three placing. RODEO’S CASTLE (Rodeo)
makes his stakes bow off three straight wins at the distance, but he’ll face
serious pressure early and may not be able to last. FOREST GROVE (Forestry)
ships in from California and could be a pace factor, but we can’t recommend his
chances based on his recent form.