Meadowlands BC

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of nine is set for Friday night’s $500,000 Meadowlands
Breeders’ Cup S. (G2), and the 1 1/8-mile event has produced three winners of
the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in the past. ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) returned from a
freshening with a sharp performance at Saratoga last time, winning a
nine-furlong optional claiming/allowance race by 7 1/4 lengths and earning a 108
BRIS Speed rating. We’ll give top billing to the Neil Howard trainee.

A late bloomer (the six-year-old didn’t begin his racing career until 18
months ago), Alumni Hall earned 111 Speed figures for two impressive efforts at
Keeneland in April, including a two-length score in the Ben Ali S. (G3), but
earned some time off following a dull showing at Pimlico in his next start. He
seems to be flourishing for Howard presently, turning in several crisp workouts
in the morning since his last start, and will probably settle into a perfect
stalking position close to the pace on Friday. The chestnut is a six-time winner
at the distance and looks difficult to deny here.

TAP DAY (Pleasant Tap) is two for two over the track and merits win
consideration off his recent starts, finishing second in the Suburban H. (G1)
two starts back and third in the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last out. The dark
bay colt was caught chasing a slow early pace last time at Saratoga, but he’ll
be able to rate more effectively here with more speed in the line-up. Tap Day
brings excellent Speed ratings into this event and could possibly wear down all
his challengers through the stretch run.

ICE WYNND FIRE (Northern Afleet) enters on a roll, having won two straight
races at 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga, and Jerry Bailey will be in to ride the Bobby
Frankel charge. The gray gelding recorded 106 Speed numbers in his last two and
looms as a wire-to-wire threat here. He will be stepping up in class, but we
wouldn’t be surprised to see Ice Wynnd Fire lead all the way.

ROYAL ASSAULT (Kris S.) has run well off a freshening before for trainer Nick
Zito and can’t be dismissed from win consideration in this spot. A multiple
stakes winner, the four-year-old offered a fine late run for second last time in
the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup and should receive a much better pace scenario on
Friday. Royal Assault reeled off four straight century-topping BRIS Late Pace
ratings before last time, and we’ll look for a strong late kick from him here.

PURGE (Pulpit) enters off a disappointing showing in the Philip H. Iselin
Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) and might prefer middle distances. The multiple Grade 2
winner owns plenty of back class as well as top connections (Todd Pletcher/John
Velazquez), but he’ll offer no value and could prove vulnerable. ZOFFINGER
(Unbridled) is going well presently for trainer John Forbes and could possibly
challenge for a share, but he drew the far outside post and brings lower Speed
ratings into this event.

UNFORGETTABLE MAX (Northern Afleet) is a hard-hitting five-year-old, but he
must stretch out in distance while stepping up in class. We’ll just watch.
REQUEST FOR PAROLE (Judge T C) is a Grade 1 winner on turf, but he hasn’t been
as effective this season and might not be able to make much of an impact here.
ITSAWONDERFULIFE (Skip Away) doesn’t appear fast enough to challenge.