Nashua

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Friday’s $100,000 Nashua S. (G3) features a field of 10 going one-mile at
Belmont. DIABOLICAL (Artax) returns to New York following a pair of runner-up
finishes in Monmouth stakes races, and the Steve Klesaris trainee gained
valuable seasoning in those starts. In his lone appearance over Big Sandy, the
chestnut colt crushed his rivals by 9 3/4 lengths on the front end, and he’s
learned how to rate in his last couple of starts. Diabolical will be up close
from the start and we’ll look for him to prove best through the stretch.

BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat) exits a sharp 6 1/2-length maiden score in his
first start for Todd Pletcher and looms a major threat in his stakes bow. There
is plenty of early speed present, and the bay colt should sit a perfect stalking
trip before offering a rally.

CHANGING WEATHER (Storm Boot) was no threat to the winner when second in the
Futurity S. (G2) last out, but he squared off against a good one that afternoon
and should appreciate the class relief. The gray colt owns plenty of early zip
and is a threat to lead wire to wire.

GREAT POINT (Point Given) looks promising off a runaway debut victory earlier
this month at Belmont, and the Nick Zito trainee owns solid tactical speed. He
faces a stern class test here, but Great Point could be in position to challenge
leaving the far turn and is eligible to surprise. EXPRESS NEWS (Storm Cat) was a
sharp allowance winner from off the pace at Keeneland most recently, and his
late run could put him into the mix here if he handles the class hike.

TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano) exits a pair of Grade 1 efforts, including a
commendable third in the Hopeful S. (G1), but we’re concerned that those races
might have taken a little out of him. The gray remains a threat for it all under
Jerry Bailey, but we believe he could be vulnerable. POLITICAL FORCE (Unbridled’s
Song) steps up off a nice maiden win and owns a 2-1-1-0 mark at Belmont. He
could prove to be a sleeper for Allen Jerkens, but he needs to keep improving
against better horses in this spot.

SOUTHERN SUCCESS (Dixieland Band) cuts back in distance off a stakes win over
a sloppy track at Delaware Park, but he’s been able to get the early lead in
both starts and probably won’t make the front here. We’ll go against. CONGO KING
(Horse Chestnut [SAf]) makes his first appearance since winning his career debut
over an off track in mid-August, and we’ll give him a race against winners. BEAR
CHARACTER (Dixie Union) ships in from Canada but doesn’t look fast enough to be
a factor.