River City – J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A talented field of 10 will go postward in Friday’s $100,000 River City H.
(G3) over the Churchill turf course. KARELIAN (Bertrando), a dead-heat winner of
this event in 2008, comes off of a decent try in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and
gets top billing from this corner. Conditioned by Rusty Arnold, the gelded bay
is perfect in three tries over this strip and put in a monstrous effort two
prior at Keeneland when just missing in a stellar field, finishing second by a
nose in the Shadwell Mile (G1). Karelian’s posted triple-digit BRIS Speed
ratings in his last three starts, and we expect to see the seven-year-old
tracking the early pace before wearing down the leaders with Rajiv Maragh.

Smart New York-bred BANROCK (Go for Gin) has surged to three straight
victories against Empire State foes and will tackle open company in here for
trainer Tom Bush. The gelded six-year-old, who has won eight of his last
fourteen outings over the past two campaigns, has run well against this type of
field in the past and looks like a live one with the cozy rail draw. We’ll tab
the bay for a top-three finish under Kent Desormeaux.

The classy RAHY’S ATTORNEY (Crown Attorney) has been ambitiously placed this
season and could benefit from a slight class drop on this day for trainer Ian
Black. Winner of the 2008 Woodbine Mile (Can-G1), the Canadian turf champion
comes in off of a handy tally versus fellow Canadians at Woodbine and has posted
a pair of useful drills in readying for this event. We’d absolutely love the
five-year-old gelding if there is turf comes up soft or yielding, but we’ll try
to upend him for the win assuming it will be firm. Robert Landry has the call.

SIMMARD (Dixieland Band) has looked good in both wins in 2009, registering a
career-best 100 BRIS Speed rating last time, and has never been better for
conditioner Roger Attfield. The late-developing four-year-old was especially
impressive when dusting allowance foes in his four-year-old debut in September
and should be plenty fit off his solid victory at 10 panels. The dangerous
chestnut will have Shaun Bridgmohan in the irons.

PLEASANT STRIKE (Smart Strike) is in very good form for Todd Pletcher and
could surprise with a top-three finish at a nice price. A close second in both
the Cliff Hanger S. (G3) and Red Bank S. (G3) in the Garden State in his last
pair, the steady five-year-old should have a lively tempo to run at and could
pass some tired horses to get into the mix beneath Chris DeCarlo. Multiple
stakes star WHEELS UP AT NOON (Outflanker) has raced just once in 2009, checking
in seventh in the Red Smith H. (G2), but the fitness he received from that event
should get him closer on this occasion. We’ll use the five-year-old in some of
our gimmicks wagers at a square number.

CRYPTOLIGHT (Fantastic Light) should not be totally dismissed for the exotics
at what should be a huge price from the widest post. The five-year-old bay has
finished in the top three in four of five career turf attempts against decent
competition and could add spice on the lower rungs of the vertical plays. We’ve
never been that high on Grade 1 hero WICKED STYLE (Macho Uno), but we do respect
the consistency that the four-year-old has found as of late for Arnold. The
Florida-bred has good tactical speed and tries hard, but we’ll try to beat him
in this contentious spot.

RAHYSTRADA (Rahy) doesn’t look good enough to make any impact against this
deep bunch. Cliff Hanger upsetter BRAVE TIN SOLDIER (Storm Cat) has failed to
live up to his luscious pedigree and must be omitted in our minds.