Texas Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A fast field of 11 is entered Saturday for the $300,000 Texas Mile S. (G3) at
Lone Star Park. PREACHINATTHEBAR (Silver Charm) comes into the one-mile main
track affair off a solid victory in the Tokyo City Cup H. (G3) for trainer Bob
Baffert. He earned 101 BRIS and Late Speed figures, the latter which could prove
useful in a race that should see quick early fractions. Jon Court will ride.

TEXCESS (In Excess [Ire]) will be looking for his first victory since his
last race of 2004, when he captured his fourth career outing in the
Delta Jackpot S. in December. Since then, the now Mike Mitchell-conditioned gelding
has come close many times, including a runner-up effort in the Tokyo City last
out. He could profit from a cut back in distance and a jockey switch to Clifton
Berry, who has steered seven mounts to the winner’s circle in the past week.

YES HE’S A PISTOL (Yes It’s True) is one of five who could make their
presence felt on the front end in the early going. The Doug
O’Neill-trained four-year-old chestnut will attempt to improve on a two-race win skein under
Garrett Gomez, his last coming in the Santana Mile H. at Santa Anita where he
earned a career high 102 Speed figure.

DOMINGUIN (Per) (Domingo) annexed five in a row before hitting the wire
fourth in the U.A.E Derby (UAE-G2) last out in his first race away from his
homeland. The four-year-old makes his first North American appearance here and
has been working well for trainer Dante Zanelli. Keep in mind for the exotics.
Roman Chapa has the call.

MR. TRIESTE (Old Trieste) has lost only one race in his last 11 attempts,
that coming in the New Orleans H. (G2) to Brass Hat (Prized). The Gary Cross
trainee owns good tactical rating speed and has the ability to surprise at a
price.

NAKAYAMA KUN (Known Fact) exits a six-month layoff for trainer Akiko Gothard.
The bay six-year-old finished fifth in the Ack Ack H. (G3) despite being carried
almost 12 wide coming into the homestretch, earning a 104 Late Pace figure. Prior
to that, Nakayama Kun made a late run to win the Governor’s H. at Ellis Park.
Although probably outclassed for the win, he could use his late kick to grab
part. STOCKHOLDER (Bertrando) won his first race for trainer Steve Asmussen last
out in a wire-to-wire victory at Oaklawn Park, earning a 107 Late Pace rating
for that one-mile contest. The dark bay owns a 7-3-2-0 record at a mile and
should be considered for the gimmicks.

HIGH STRIKE ZONE (Smart Strike) has hit the board in his last five
appearances, defeating allowance company two back. He owns plenty of experience
over the Grand Prairie, Texas, track, but might be hindered if he contests the
early pace. HALOS SAILING SAIN (Halo’s Image) tired while trying his first route
in his turf debut last out, but could improve while returning to the main track
and cutting back in distance.

PLAY THE CHIMES (Fast Play) won his last two at Sam Houston, but has not been
producing the numbers needed to compete against this field. Despite a solid
front-running win last out, CHARMING SOCIALITE (Sunny’s Halo) could be
compromised by quick early splits.