Next Move

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Only six distaffers will contest Saturday’s $100,000 Next Move H. (G3), and
the top two contenders are WEATHERED (Key Contender) and WINNING POINT (Point
Given). The former rates a slight advantage.

Weathered dropped her first two attempts over the inner track this winter,
finishing second in the You’d Be Surprised S. and third in the Plankton S.,
before breaking through with a 7 1/4-length decision in the Rare Treat H. last
out. The New York-bred faced open rivals in all three starts, earning a
career-best 99 BRIS Speed rating last time, and she rates a substantial edge in
BRIS Prime Power over her competition on Saturday. The Karl Grusmark-trained
four-year-old won her last start at the 1 1/8-mile distance, and she figures to
enjoy a perfect trip with her speed.

Winning Point returned off the layoff on a very positive note, recording her
first stakes win with a 4 1/2-length tally in the March 8 Am Capable S., and the
stalker will attempt to make it two straight. We respect trainer Kiaran
McLaughlin, but Winning Point is a candidate to regress off her last effort. The
five-year-old mare has raced very sparingly over the past two seasons, and she
could have a difficult time reeling in Weathered.

SUCCESSFUL SARAH (Successful Appeal) has class concerns, but she figures to
be on the front end under Eddie Castro and might last a long way. The John
Terranova trainee received a decent 92 Speed figure last time, posting her first
win in her second attempt over the inner track, and we give her a chance to
complete the exacta.

BOURBON MAID (Menifee) finished a non-threatening third to Weathered in the
Rare Treat, but we do respect the fact that she’s finished in the money in her
last six starts. The four-year-old filly doesn’t own top Speed numbers, but
she’s eligible to grab a minor award with her late kick.

POINT ME TO IT (Precise End) fits better with New York-breds at the stakes
level, and she ran much better over the main track at Aqueduct last fall than
she has on the inner. The six-year-old has failed to finish first or second in
12 starts over the track. NIJINSKY BULLET (Silver Charm) is impossible to
recommend given her recent form.