Dallas Turf Cup

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Monday’s $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup H. (G3) looks to be an ideal opportunity
for SEASPEAK (Mizzen Mast) to record a richly deserved graded victory. The
lightly raced four-year-old actually crossed the wire first in the Bryan Station
S. (G3) at Keeneland last fall, outdueling a top-class customer in Cowboy Cal
(Giant’s Causeway), only to be disqualified and placed second for interference.
After a near-miss runner-up effort in the Commonwealth Turf S. (G3) next time
out, Seaspeak was transferred to Ralph Nicks. The dark bay could not have been
more impressive in his debut for his new trainer, returning from a five-month
layoff to romp in an entry-level allowance at Churchill Downs. Seaspeak has been
training sharply in advance of his third graded stakes attempt, and he should
enjoy a perfect stalking trip at Lone Star Park. He ranks as the horse to beat
with the hot-riding Julien Leparoux.

TRICKY CAUSEWAY (Giant’s Causeway) could end up being the lone speed in this
1 1/8-mile affair. The Chris Hartman charge figures to relish being back on
turf, and judging by his victory in the 1 3/8-mile Awad S. earlier in his
career, he won’t be stopping at the end. Indeed, he has yet to finish worse than
third in three attempts at this distance on the grass. The well-bred
six-year-old gets a rider switch to Luis Quinonez.

ERNESTO (Royal Academy) looks like the better of the two entrants from the
Danny Pish barn. The bay gelding is a horse-for-the-course, boasting an 8-5-2-0
local mark. The deep closer scored his lone career stakes victory in the Bob
Johnson Memorial S. here last summer, and in his latest venture, he captured an
allowance/optional claiming prep for this engagement. Ernesto would need a
career-best effort to pull the upset, but he’s well qualified to crack the top
three.

OVERBID (Pulpit), a half-brother to 2006 Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Lemons
Forever (Lemon Drop Kid), is a bit of a wildcard in this spot for Eric Guillot.
The four-year-old has been a disappointment on the synthetic in Southern
California, but we suspect that he may have turned the corner over the winter at
Fair Grounds. Overbid rolled to a sharp allowance score in his dirt debut at the
New Orleans oval, and he exits an encouraging fourth in a turf allowance at
Evangeline Downs. Although this is obviously a major step up in class, we would
not be entirely surprised if he turns in a big effort.

RED ROCK CREEK (Numerous) has been a regional stalwart for Steve Asmussen.
Third in this event last year, the honest eight-year-old has a respectable late
kick. He has yet to hit the board in two starts so far this season, however, and
may be overbet in view of his connections. PRECIOUS COLONY (Wild Colony), the
second Pish hopeful, has been beaten by Red Rock Creek as well as Ernesto, and
he may be out of his depth among these.

SONG OF NAVARONE (Sultry Song), who has won four straight stakes on the dirt
in New Mexico, is cross-entered to Monday’s Lone Star Park H. (G3). We expect
him to choose that spot rather than attempting a turf debut here.