Oaklawn H.

Grade 1 winner BUZZARDS BAY (Marco Bay) is the 118-pound highweight in
Saturday’s $500,000 Oaklawn H. (G2), but we’ll give the edge to local star PURIM
(Dynaformer), who will go forth under a 117-pound impost that includes Robby
Albarado. The Tom Proctor-trained colt exits a sharp two-length score over the
track in the Razorback Breeders’ Cup H. (G3).

A Grade 3 winner on turf and second by a nose in the grassy American Derby
(G2) last summer, Purim switched to the main track in October and finished a
decent fourth in the Indiana Derby (G2). He made his four-year-old bow on the
main track at Tampa Bay Downs in early February and recorded a fast-closing
second in the seven-furlong Super S., earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating. That race
served as a good prep for his return to two-turn events as Purim captured the
Razorback next out, rallying from just off the pace to a clear lead in upper
stretch that he easily carried to the wire, and the dark bay colt registered another
century-topping Speed number (101). Purim has continued to train forwardly at Oaklawn since then and won’t be facing the most proven older horses on Saturday.
The improving colt looks difficult to deny once again.

GOULDINGS GREEN (Charismatic) shouldn’t be overlooked. Trained by Anthony
Reinstedler, the five-year-old finished a good second when making his stakes
debut in the Hanshin H. (G3) last May and then finished fifth in the Stephen
Foster H. (G1), seven lengths back of eventual Horse of the Year Saint Liam.
Gouldings Green didn’t race again for more than eight months, returning in an
allowance/optional claiming event at Oaklawn, and showed little rust with a
determined one-length score from off the pace, earning a 102 Speed and Late Pace
rating. The chestnut is certainly eligible to keep improving off that
encouraging performance, and we’ll look for a strong late showing on Saturday.

Buzzards Bay captured last year’s Santa Anita Derby (G1) and finished a
better-than-looked fifth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) following a wide trip. Ron
Ellis took over training duties after he passed through the sales ring last
summer, and Buzzards Bay returned from a freshening to post a solid third in the
Discovery H. (G3) last October. The chestnut opened 2006 with a disappointing
fourth as the favorite in the Sunshine Millions Classic, but he bounced back to
win the All American H. (G3) at Golden Gate Fields by four lengths last time,
recording a 105 Speed figure. That had to serve as a confidence builder for the
classy colt, and Buzzards Bay looms as a candidate to keep showing more at
Oaklawn.

MAGNUM (Arg) (El Compinche) made his U.S. debut last summer and didn’t
impress in any of his five starts last season, but he’s been a much different
performer this year for conditioner Darrell Vienna. The five-year-old opened
with a runaway victory over allowance/optional claimers in mid-February, and
then recorded a very commendable second in the Santa Anita H. (G1), rallying
boldly up the rail to threaten Lava Man (Slew City Slew) in midstretch while
traveling on the slower part of the track. Magnum registered a 110 Speed rating,
and he’s definitely one to consider for the top three on Saturday.

IT’S NO JOKE (Distorted Humor) looks like a serious pace factor. He lasted a
long way in the Gulfstream Park H. (G2) last time, finishing a close third, and
the Rebecca Maker charge still owns a big upside. He will likely face some
pressure from the outside, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see It’s No Joke hang
around for a long time. ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) looked good
capturing the Fred Hooper H. (G3) three starts back, but he wasn’t able to
sustain that form when stepping up in company for his last two starts, the Donn
H. (G1) and Gulfstream Park H. The late-running colt may fit a little better
here, and we’re dismissing his chances for the bottom of the exotics since we
can’t use them all.

MASTER COMMAND (A.P. Indy) brings a three-race winning skein into his stakes
debut, but we’ll just watch to see how the speedy colt handles the class hike.
WITH DISTINCTION (Storm Cat) probably needs some class relief.