Elkhorn

A well-matched group of 12 was entered for Friday’s $200,000 Elkhorn S. (G3)
on Keeneland’s closing day program, and we’re going to give a slight advantage
to the old man in the field, ROCHESTER (Green Dancer). Now 10, the Jonathan
Sheppard-trained gelding captured the 1 1/2-mile Sycamore Breeders’ Cup S. (G3)
last October at Keeneland and owns a 10-4-2-2 mark locally. A six-time winner at
the 12-furlong distance, the classy veteran runs well fresh, just missing when third off a
similar layoff in last year’s Elkhorn, and didn’t show any signs of tailing off
last fall, earning triple-digit BRIS Speed ratings in his final four starts.
Rochester is adept at negotiating big fields and loves the course.

SILVERFOOT (With Approval) is a huge threat. He got very good for Dallas
Stewart last season, winning the Louisville H. (G3) and Kentucky Cup Turf (G3)
and finishing second in the United Nations S. (G1), and his sixth-place effort
in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) will win here. The gray gelding registered huge
BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers, and he owns a win over the course. We like his
recent six-furlong drills in preparation for his return to the races, and
Silverfoot won last spring at Keeneland off a lengthy freshening. He could prove
impossible to deny under Mark Guidry.

DYNALYMPIC (Dynaformer) proved much the best over allowance rivals at
Keeneland earlier in the meet and appears to be rounding into excellent form for
conditioner Tom Amoss. Previously trained by Michael Dickinson, the
five-year-old gelding has raced sparingly throughout his career, but it’s a good
sign that Amoss is running him right back off a short rest. Dynalympic earned
terrific numbers last time and does own previous stakes experience. At 30-1 on
the morning line, he could offer plenty of value to the exotics and possibly
challenge for the upset.

DREADNAUGHT (Lac Ouimet) ended 2004 in a strong manner, winning back-to-back
Grade 2 events, but went winless in 2005 until capturing the nine-furlong Laurel
Turf Cup in mid-November. We’re not convinced that 1 1/2 miles is his best
distance, but the Tom Voss charge remains a dangerous win threat if ready to go
off the layoff with jockey Rafael Bejarano. We’ll use him on the bottom of some
gimmicks.

WATERSHED EVENT (Charismatic) will be tested for class, but you have to
consider him for a top three finish based on his affinity for the course. The
Dale Romans trainee improved to three-for-three with an allowance score 15 days
back, and he brings very encouraging Late Pace figures into the race. GO DEPUTY
(Deputy Minister) is a candidate to outperform our expectations, finishing
second in the Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup S. (G1) two starts back and third in
the Pan American H. (G2) last time, but there are a couple of concerns. The Todd
Pletcher trainee must overcome the far outside post, is winless from two starts
at the distance, and finished sixth in his lone previous attempt at Keeneland,
an allowance race last October. We’ll let him beat us.

RAMAZUTTI (Honor Grades) holds some appeal as the lone speed, but Keeneland’s
turf isn’t the best course for his running style. He surprised us when second at
31-1 in the Pan American last time and will have the opportunity to do so again
here. PELLEGRINO (Brz) (Nugget Point [Ire]) has back class, winning the 2004
Hollywood Turf Cup (G1), but he was unplaced in seven starts last year and will
be making his Keeneland debut on Friday. We want to see some signs of
encouragement before backing.

DYNANTONIA (Dynaformer) makes his graded debut off a disappointing effort as
the favorite versus allowance rivals at Keeneland. He did win here last fall,
but the 12-furlong distance remains a major concern. WESTMORELAND ROAD (Diesis
[GB]) appears to relish longer distances, but he’s got some class concerns here
off the layoff. GUNNING FOR (Dove Hunt) probably needed his last start off the
layoff, but he hasn’t done anything since 2004 for us to recommend his chances.

COSMONAUT (Lemon Drop Kid) will likely be withdrawn after racing in
Thursday’s Ben Ali S. (G2).