Miami Mile J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS

A contentious field of 11 has been entered to go a mile on Calder’s turf in
the $150,000 Miami Mile Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) Saturday, and ICY ATLANTIC (Stormy
Atlantic) has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. While the Todd
Pletcher trainee has the ability to take this one, we’re going to try to find
some value and tab mile-specialist OLD FORESTER (Forestry) to come out on top
here.

The Bill Mott-trained five-year-old posted his first win of the season last
out in early March, taking an allowance/optional claimer by a half-length. Old
Forester entered that one off his 2006 bow, where he ran just 1 3/4 lengths back
in fifth in the Appleton H. (G3) while going this distance. The chestnut earned a
103 BRIS Speed rating as well as a 114 BRIS Late Pace figure for his Appleton
effort, and he owns a win at Calder, having captured the Santa Claus S. as a
sophomore. Old Forester will have Eddie Castro in the saddle on Saturday and the
two could take it all from just off the pace.

TWILIGHT ROAD (Cahill Road) could add some more value to the exotics at 12-1
on the morning line. The nine-year-old gelding made his first start back off an
eight-month break, finishing fourth in a main track allowance/optional claimer
at Gulfstream Park in mid-March. The 2004 winner of this race, Twilight Road has
been working well in preparation for this one, getting five furlongs in 1:01
3/5, and was a good third on the dirt in the Texas Mile S. (G3) last year going
this distance. Trained by David Fawkes, the chestnut could earn his second title
in this event, this time with Manuel Aguilar in the irons.

Icy Atlantic is seeking his first win in close to two years, having last
captured the 2004 Jersey Derby (G3) in late May. The bay horse has never been
far back, making his 2006 debut a third in the Sunshine Millions Turf prior to
running second in the Tampa Bay Breeders’ Cup S. and Turf Classic S., both at
Tampa Bay Downs. He earned some nice numbers for those runs and could be ready
to return to the winner’s circle. Chris DeCarlo has the call.

T. D. VANCE (Rahy) may try to take this one from gate to wire. The H. Graham
Motion charge did just that in the Bryan Station S. at Keeneland last year going
a mile, but has to overcome the more than five-month layoff. He has returned off
long breaks in the past to win, and posted triple-digit Late Pace ratings in his
past two, indicating he could also do a bit of stalking if he doesn’t get the
lead. T. D. Vance will be tough in the top three.

GIGAWATT (Wild Again) has been playing musical barns of late and will be
making his second start for trainer Michael Lerman in this spot. The dark bay
six-year-old ran third in the Gulf Coast Classic S. last out in his seasonal
bow, posting 100 Speed and 106 Late Pace ratings. He owns wins on the turf and
should be considered for the exotics. WOODLANDER (Forestry) is another who will
challenge for part. The bay four-year-old won an allowance/optional claimer last
out, and is no stranger to graded company, taking the Lexington S. (G3) last
year on Belmont Park’s turf.

BIG LUCK (Per) (Short Selling) is another blue-collar horse rising up from
the claiming ranks to try his luck here. The eight-year-old gelding has already
run five times this season, taking two and finishing second in another, and might
earn a share on the outside. SPRING HOUSE (Chester House) was a game competitor
last year, compiling a 9-2-1-4 record, and could continue that here in the
bottom of the gimmicks.

BOB’S PROUD MOMENT (Proud and True) won this last year, but will have to
return to that form to score here after finishing far back in his past three.
WHOS CRYING NOW (Concerto) appears more comfortable on the main track. KEEP COOL
(Frosty the Snowman) might not be fast enough to keep up here. We’ll take a
stand against.