Bowling Green J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Sunday’s Bowling Green H. (G2) was rescheduled from Friday due to rain, and
the inner course will likely be yielding if the 1 3/8-mile event remains on turf.
WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) is experienced over soft conditions, breaking his
maiden last year over a yielding course in Ireland, and rates top billing.

A 7 1/4-length winner of the Secretariat S. (G1) last summer at Arlington,
Winchester started only twice more in 2008, recording unplaced finishes in the
Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and Hollywood Turf Cup (G1). The colt didn’t make
his four-year-old debut until an August 1 allowance/optional claiming heat,
offering a belated rally for sixth, and we liked the effort off the lengthy
layoff. Saratoga’s turf wasn’t kind to deep closers that afternoon, and
Winchester earned a 118 BRIS Late Pace rating after passing a lot of horses. He
stretches out from 8 1/2 furlongs to a much more favorable distance on Sunday
and will be making his second start under the direction of Christophe Clement.
We’ll look for his best beneath Ramon Dominguez.

AMERICAIN (Dynaformer) is capable of better than he showed in his U.S. bow
last time, a dull seventh in the Sword Dancer Invitational (G1), and we’ll tab
him for runner-up honors. A Group 2 winner two starts back, the four-year-old
showed good class in France while racing mostly over turf with plenty of give to
it. He caught hard-and-firm conditions in the Sword Dancer and should be
much more comfortable at Belmont Sunday. Javier Castellano will pick up the
mount for Todd Pletcher, and Americain figures to be forwardly placed from the
rail with his tactical speed.

COLONY Ire) (Statue of Liberty) defeated Midships (Mizzen Mast) and Conduit
(Ire) (Dalakhani) when capturing an English handicap on soft ground last year,
and he went on to post a nice handicap score at Royal Ascot. He didn’t run well
at Dubai this winter, but the Saeed bin Suroor runner turned in a commendable
showing when making his U.S. debut in the Double Feint S. two starts back,
rallying for third with a strong turn of foot. The four-year-old colt never got
untracked in the Bernard Baruch H. (G2) last time, but both races were a little
short for him. Colony is certainly eligible to improve while stretching out in
distance over an off turf, and we’ll use him in our top three.

GRAND COUTURIER (GB) (Grand Lodge) merits serious respect given the
likelihood of the turf. A two-time Grade 1 winner over off courses for Robert Ribaudo,
the bay six-year-old has caught firm ground in his last two
outings. While those races should have him fit, we’re not excited about
supporting him at a short price (5-2 favorite on morning line) and will try to
beat him. Grand Couturier could prove us wrong, but this is a pretty tough spot
and the late runner won’t have a lot of pace up front. GENTLEMAN CHESTER
(Chester House) owns commendable BRIS numbers and has given a good account of
himself in his last two versus graded rivals, but we have concerns about how
he’ll handle the course and distance. The improving five-year-old still rates
consideration for the gimmicks.

EXPANSION (Maria’s Mon) has run well over Belmont’s turf previously, but this
class level looks too difficult. UP TO NO GOOD (Ecton Park) will make his stakes
debut off an allowance score over the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. We can’t recommend
his chances. READY SET (Touch Gold) has dropped seven straight since winning the
2008 West Virginia Derby (G3), and his last few efforts have been disappointing. THABAZIMBI
(Empire Maker) probably needs an easier spot to be effective.