Cardinal

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An overflow field of 16 has been entered in Saturday’s Cardinal H. (G3) at
Churchill Downs, but only 12 will be allowed to start in the 1 1/8-mile turf
test. FINERY (Lear Fan) comes off a close fifth in the E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1)
at Woodbine and looks capable of taking this event under Javier Castellano.

Trained by Bill Turner, the five-year-old mare started off the year in style,
taking the Beaugay H. (G3) at Aqueduct, and has been close in every start since.
Before the Taylor, the bay was just 1 3/4 lengths back in fourth in the Ballston
Spa Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) against multiple Group 1 winner Alinghi (Aus) (Encosta
de Lago). She earned a BRIS Speed rating of 101 for her past two and has been
working well in advance of this start. Finery can add this one to her record.

KATDOGAWN (GB) (Bahhare) is a hard-knocking veteran who has faced off against
the best in her division. In her past two, the Wally Dollase trainee ran fourth
and third, just 1 1/2 lengths back in the latter, against Breeders’ Cup Filly &
Mare Turf (G1) heroine Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill). Katdogawn posted a 1
1/2-length score in the WinStar Distaff H. (G3) earlier this season and owns
competitive enough BRIS numbers to challenge for it all under Mike Smith.

MOVIE STAR (Brz) (Royal Academy) made her U.S. debut a winning one last out,
taking the second division of the Navajo Princess S. at the Meadowlands while
earning a 98 Speed rating and a 102 BRIS Late Pace figure. The Bobby Frankel
charge is a Group 1 winner in her native country and could move forward against
graded competition in this spot. Rafael Bejarano only adds to her chances.

DELTA PRINCESS (A.P. Indy) rallied in a big way in the Violet S. (G3) last
out, moving from 11th down the backstretch to finish second. She earned a 110 Late
Pace rating for her effort and has also held her own against Intercontinental,
running second to that rival by just a length in the Jenny Wiley S. (G3) in
mid-April. Trained by Bill Mott, the dark bay six-year-old could prove tough to deny
with her potent late run and is two for two over the course. Robby Albarado has the call.

HUMORISTIC (Sefapiano) was the winner of the Violet most recently, getting
clear on the lead at the midway point before finishing strong for the three-length score. The
bay four-year-old miss has been working bullets over Laurel’s turf in the past
couple weeks and looks ready for another big effort. NOISETTE
(Broad Brush) dropped below her normal numbers when earning only a 91 Speed
rating for her win in the Indian Maid Breeders’ Cup H. last out, but her Late
Pace figures stayed in the triple-digit range. She could offer a challenge for it all
from off the pace.

STAGE SHY (Theatrical [Ire]) has done well for herself since coming to the
United States, never finishing worse than fourth. She most recently ran third
against males in
the Carleton F. Burke H. (G3) during the Oak Tree meet, and the chestnut could grab part here as
well. PAZ CIUDADANA (Chi) (Golden Voyager) has scored in her past three races,
all stakes, and could earn a check on the step up to graded company.

MISS NASHWAN (Ire) (Nashwan) put forth a nice late run in her most recent
race to be third, just a length shy at the wire, but may not be fast enough to catch
up with these. STUPENDOUS MISS (Dynaformer) hasn’t been going so well of late
and we can’t recommend. SUNDROP (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) hasn’t shown much in
three starts stateside. LENATAREESE (Broad Brush) has started only three times
this year and may need a race.

Of the four also-eligibles, VERY VERY (Royal Academy) might have the best
chance of challenging in the top three if she draws in . The six-year-old mare
ran a close fifth in the Galaxy S. (G2) against Intercontinental last out and
could continue to show more. LOUVE ROYALE (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and STRIKE ME LUCKY
(Smart Strike) both ran in the Dowager S. most recently, but may not be quite on
this level yet. ANEGADA (Arch) doesn’t look fast enough to threaten against
these.