Fayette

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The Fayette S. (G2) is the closing-day feature at Keeneland, and 10 horses
are set for the 1 1/8-mile event on Polytrack. BLAME (Arch) broke his maiden at
Keeneland last October, easily scoring at about seven furlongs, and the
stakes-winning colt will return to Lexington, Kentucky, off a very solid second
in the Super Derby (G2).

Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor) was loose on an uncontested lead last time in
the Super Derby and
appeared ready to win by a widening margin when four lengths clear at the top of
the stretch, but Blame found his best stride late and rapidly closed ground,
registering a 110 BRIS Late Pace rating for the 1 1/4-length setback. He earned
a 115 Late Pace number for his victory in the Curlin S. two starts back, and his
last two BRIS Speed ratings, 105 and 103, are outstanding here. The stalker
faces a difficult challenge against the likes of PARADING (Pulpit), but we’ll
look for more improvement from the stalker that translates into his first graded
win.

Parading, who exits fourths in the Goodwood (G1) and Pacific Classic (G1), is
the one to beat, but it’s been a long, difficult season for the six-year-old. He
was a fresh horse when he rolled to a 7 1/2-length triumph in the Ben Ali (G3)
at Keeneland in April and followed that sparkling effort with a good win the
grassy Dixie S. (G2). The chestnut made his next three starts in California,
traveling back and forth on multiple occasions, and we have some concerns about
his sharpness following three straight unplaced efforts. However, we won’t be
surprised to see the Shug McGaughey runner return to his winning ways on the
class drop.

WICKED STYLE (Macho Again) also enjoys the Polytrack, winning the 2007
Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, and the four-year-old has turned in a
couple of encouraging efforts this season for Rusty Arnold following a
disappointing sophomore campaign that consisted of three unplaced outings. An
allowance/optional claiming winner three starts back at Arlington, the
Florida-bred finished a close third in the Washington Park H. (G3) next out and
exits a fifth in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G2). We’ll throw his last
one out and look for better things here from the colt, who figures to be
forwardly placed from the start under Robby Albarado.

GIANT OAK (Giant’s Causeway) is another one to consider for the top three. A
winner over Arlington’s Polytrack in 2008, the Chris Block three-year-old
captured the Arlington Classic on turf and has placed in three other stakes this
season, including a fast-closing second in the Indiana Derby (G2) last time. He
registered a 115 BRIS Late Pace number for that one and looks like a late-running
threat in this spot under Eusebio Razo Jr.

DOMINICAN (El Corredor) finished second in the 2008 Fayette (G3) and recorded his
biggest career victory in the 2007 Blue Grass (G1), knocking off subsequent
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Street Sense. The five-year-old gelding has
disappointed backers on many occasions since then, notching five stakes placings
but no black-type scores, and he was last seen recording a non-threatening third
in the Turfway Park Fall Championship (G3). The Darrin Miller runner likes Keeneland
(5-2-2-0) and is eligible to grab a minor award with his best, but we’ll try to
beat him in this tough spot.

NATIONAL PRIDE (Macho Uno) is an improving gelding from the shedrow of Kiaran
McLaughlin who deserves some consideration for the bottom of the exotics at long
odds. The four-year-old owns a winning attitude (four-for-eight overall), but he
will be making his synthetic debut in this spot. MEDJOOL (Monarchos) is probably a little
more effective at longer distances on turf.

Grade 2-winning mare TIZFIZ (Tiznow) wasn’t a serious factor when sixth in
the Spinster S. (G1) last time, and it’s difficult to envision her challenging
against males here. PUBLIC SPEAKER (Distorted Humor) could show speed
from his rail post, but we’ll be surprised to see him involved in the serious
running. JADE’S REVENGE (Quiet American) exits a third versus $50,000 claimers
and looks overmatched here.