Sanford — J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS

Nine juveniles, including an entry, will face the starter in Thursday’s
historic Sanford S. (G2) at Saratoga, and Bashford Manor S. (G3) hero BACKTALK
(Smarty Jones) will look to extend his perfect mark in the six-furlong event. We
think he’s a standout.

Trained by Tom Amoss, the chestnut circled rivals on the far turn and
recorded a superb 103 BRIS Speed rating when winning at first asking at
Churchill Downs on June 11, and was backed down to 4-5 favoritism in
the six-furlong Bashford Manor by virtue of the 2 3/4-length score. However, he
stumbled at the start of his stakes debut and appeared to be in serious trouble
turning for home. The gutsy colt suddenly found his best stride in deep stretch
that afternoon, rallying late to a one-length decision, and we loved the way he
was able to overcome adversity. The Florida-bred has trained forwardly since
that start, recording a sharp five-furlong move last Friday, and he won’t face
any imposing rivals in this spot. We expect to see further improvement from the
the up-and-coming Backtalk.

BULLS AND BEARS (Holy Bull) merits respect off his debut score at Belmont
Park on July 2. Trainer Richard Violette Jr. excels with youngsters, and the
gray colt registered a very promising 95 BRIS Speed figure for his neck
decision. Jockey Alan Garcia should be able to sit a perfect stalking trip from
post 7 before offering a challenge.

ENUMERATE (Proud Accolade) will show speed from his rail post, and he’s got a
shot to lead wire to wire if he gets clear early. That’s a difficult proposition
given the other front runners in the field, but the Steve Asmussen pupil appears
capable of holding for a top three placing in his stakes debut. Edgar Prado will
be hustling him from the start.

SOUNDMAN (Songandaprayer) wilted on the lead in the Bashford Manor, but we
expect to see the D. Wayne Lukas runner abandon his front-running tactics and
sit just off the speed in his Spa debut. We like the fact that he has plenty of
experience, with a stakes and an allowance start to his credit, and won’t be
surprised to see him in the mix turning for home. The dark bay colt is one to
consider for the exotics at nice odds.

LOUISVILLELUMINARY (Pulpit) hails from the Asmussen shedrow and will run
uncoupled with his stablemate. After dropping his career bow at 4-5, the
well-regarded colt rebounded with a sharp one-length score at Churchill Downs on
June 20, and he’s got the benefit of three local works in preparation for the
Sanford. Julien Leparoux will pick up the mount on the improving bay colt.

BRICKLAYER (El Corredor) won his debut on the dirt at Aqueduct but lacked the
same late kick when posting an unplaced effort versus stakes rivals on the
Polytrack at Woodbine last time. He’s eligible to turn in an improved showing
while switching back to dirt, but we’ll let him beat us. INTERACTIF (Broken Vow)
sprinted to an uncontested early advantage and just held for a head decision
last time at Monmouth, but the Todd Pletcher runner doesn’t look quick enough to
enjoy a similar trip on Wednesday. He does show a bullet work over the track in
preparation for this outing, but the class hike looks daunting.

NACHO FRIEND (Friends Lake) rolled to a convincing win when making his career
debut in the slop at Monmouth Park last time, but we’ll give him a start against
winners. ACTIVITY REPORT (Bernstein) will run coupled with Soundman in his first
start for D. Wayne Lukas, but the maiden claiming winner will face a serious
class check in this spot while showing speed from his outside post.