Frank J De Francis Memorial Dash

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) hero THOR’S ECHO (Swiss Yodeler) would make a strong
case for champion sprinter honors with a victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Frank J.
De Francis Memorial Dash S. (G1), but the four-year-old gelding likely benefited
from his rail post in a career best four-length triumph last time out. Add in
the fact that Breeders’ Cup runners can occasionally struggle when returning from a short freshening, and
we’ll try to beat the probable overwhelming favorite.

NIGHTMARE AFFAIR (Out of Place) could do no better than third in the
Breeders’ Cup Sprint, but the late-running, six-furlong specialist (11-7-0-2 at
the distance) had little chance to make up serious ground while closing wide over
the inside-favoring track at Churchill Downs. There is a ton of speed in
Saturday’s race, and Nightmare Affair has proven his class at this level,
winning the Smile Sprint H. (G2) over a strong field three starts back. The gray
owns the BRIS Speed ratings to succeed, and Nightmare Affair appears capable of
upsetting the favorite.

Thor’s Echo figures to sit a perfect stalking trip during the early stages,
and he’s shown excellent class all year, recording runner-up finishes in the
Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup S. (G1) and Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1). We have
to give Doug O’Neill credit for getting Thor’s Echo ready for a tremendous
showing last time, but we wonder if that took anything out of the chestnut and
will let him beat us at short odds.

CRAFTY SCHEMER (Crafty Prospector) faces a class test, but his current form
is appealing. The seven-year-old exits a sharp six-length score in the Dave’s
Friend S. over the track, earning a 106 Speed rating, and the speedy gelding is
versatile enough to sit and pounce. A seven-time winner at Laurel Park, Crafty
Schemer can land a spot in the top three and is an intriguing upset candidate at
long odds.

CELTIC INNIS (Yarrow Brae) does his best running at six furlongs, but he
might need an easier spot to be effective. The four-year-old gelding did record
a couple of nice stakes wins at Delaware and Colonial Downs before finishing
second in a stakes at Laurel last time, and we could make a case for using
him in the gimmicks.

JOEY CARSON (Lord Carson) is very honest, finishing first or second in 10 of
11 career starts, but he’s never faced graded company. The Tim Ritchey trainee
might find the task too difficult, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see him offer
a decent showing from just off the pace. ATTILA’S STORM (Forest Wildcat) looks
like the speed of the speed, but he’s probably going to face serious pressure. He
owns the class to be effective here, but he exits a grueling showing in the
Breeders’ Cup in which he tired after dueling for the early lead. We can’t
support his chances off the 21-day rest

DIABOLICAL (Artax), who will be making his first start over Laurel’s main
track, exits a decent stakes win at this six-furlong distance over a wet track
at Philadelphia Park. The
sophomore colt has raced primarily at longer distances this season, and he likes
to go to the front. That looks like a problem with the other speed present. MACH
SPEED (A.P. Indy) is probably better at seven furlongs, and he’ll need to
improve significantly to be a factor at this level. COPPERTONE KID (Gold Case)
could add to the early pace, but we can’t envision him sustaining his speed.