Oaklawn H.

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $500,000 Oaklawn H. (G2) attracted only five and EDDINGTON
(Unbridled) should be a heavy favorite off his romping win in the Gulfstream
Park H. (G2), but we’ll try to beat him with GRAND REWARD (Storm Cat). The
European import has improved noticeably for trainer D. Wayne Lukas in his last
couple of starts, and he can take these rivals wire to wire as the lone speed.

Grand Reward earned his first U.S. victory when taking a one-mile allowance
two starts back in front-running fashion and then tracked a solid early pace in
the Santa Anita H. (G1) before easily moving to the fore on the far turn. The
four-year-old colt entered the stretch with a one-length lead and didn’t quit
when confronted by Rock Hard Ten (Kris S.), battling to the wire to be beaten
only three lengths in a fourth-place showing. Grand Reward is clearly on the
upswing for his Hall of Fame conditioner and has shown that he is much better on
dirt after making his first 14 starts on the grass. Cigar improved dramatically
when changing surfaces later in his career, and Grand Reward could prove to be a
poor man’s version of that legendary performer with a victory in the Oaklawn H.

Eddington loves Gulfstream and will be difficult to beat if he carries that
form forward in Arkansas. He’s earned BRIS Speed ratings of 114, 112 and 112
this year, and the late runner sat close to a moderate pace last time before
cruising to the lead with ease. One has to respect his current form, but the
chestnut has never won on the dirt outside of Hallandale, compiling an 0-for-8
mark. That’s a pretty discouraging fact with an odds-on favorite.

LIMEHOUSE (Grand Slam) notched a Grade 3 victory last spring but hasn’t won
since. The Todd Pletcher trainee appears to be rounding back into top form,
however, recording a runner-up placing in the New Orleans H. (G2) most recently,
and should sit a good trip with his tactical speed. Limehouse could challenge
for it all.

SECOND OF JUNE (Louis Quatoze) made his first appearance outside of South
Florida in the New Orleans last out and finished a solid third over the
speed-favoring Fair Grounds track. Trained by Bill Cesare, Second of June has
bounced back from a serious physical setback last spring but hasn’t won a race
in more than 14 months. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him grab part but will
continue to watch him here. CROWNED KING (Barkerville) is winless from four
previous attempts at the distance and has class issues in this race.