Alysheba

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Friday’s $150,000 Alysheba S. (G3) looks like an excellent betting race and
we’ll tab COOL COAL MAN (Mineshaft) for a wire-to-wire victory. The Nick
Zito-trained horse will bring sharp form into the 1 1/16-mile test, easily
capturing a seven-furlong allowance/optional claiming event prior to a respectable third
in the Gulfstream Park H. (G2), and he ran well at Churchill Downs last spring,
finishing second by three parts of a length to BULLSBAY (Tiznow) in this event.

There isn’t much speed in the line-up and Jose Lezcano figures to guide Cool
Coal Man straight to the front. He appears to be at his best right now, with
BRIS Speed ratings of 102 and 101 in his last two starts as well as recent
half-furlong bullet breeze (:47 1/5) over the track, and the bay could prove
impossible to catch.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), who will make his first start since an
eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), didn’t end his three-year-old
campaign on a promising note but has a couple of things going for him in this
spot. Two-for-three at the distance, the bay colt registered a solid effort in
last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1), rallying past a lot of horses in the stretch
for fifth, and he shows several encouraging long-distance drills in preparation
for this start, including a one-mile work on April 21 at Hollywood. The stalker
should sit close to the pace with his tactical speed, is well-drawn along the
inside and adds blinkers for Jerry Hollendorfer, who wins at a 17 percent clip
with the equipment change. We’ll use Chocolate Candy in the second spot and will
save with him in multi-race wagers.

Stephen Foster H. (G1) winner MACHO AGAIN (Macho Uno) likes Churchill but
will make his first appearance since a disappointing ninth as the favorite in
the Clark H. (G2). The confirmed closer may not get much pace to set up his late
rally and we would’ve preferred to have seen a tune-up in advance of this start,
but we’ll include the classy horse in the top three.

Bullsbay entered last year’s Alysheba in terrific form, registering BRIS
Speed ratings of 106 and 105 in his two previous starts, but he’ll defend his
title in different conditions this year, making his first appearance since a
couple of dreadful efforts in the Clark and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. We have
plenty of respect for Graham Motion and the six-year-old horse’s affinity for the track
can’t be overlooked (three-for-five at Churchill), but we’ll try to beat him for
the win and will use only on the bottom of some exotics.

ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) has been a solid performer at this level and merits
serious consideration for the gimmicks off his 3 3/4-length score in the Skip
Away S. (G3) last time, but the late runner didn’t beat much last time and
probably won’t have much pace in front. Your call.

FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) faltered badly when setting a slow pace in the
Mineshaft H. (G3) last time and figures to revert to stalking tactics here. The
four-year-old is a solid performer when at his best, but he’s too
inconsistent — well-beaten at odds-on twice in his last three starts — for us to
recommend his chances.

PROM SHOES (Include), FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus) and ENRICHED (High
Brite) may need an easier spot to be effective.