American Turf

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Considering that SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect) would have been a live exotics
contender in the Kentucky Derby (G1), it’s hard to look past the outstanding
closer in Friday’s $175,000 American Turf S. (G2) at Churchill Downs. Yet to
finish worse than second since adding blinkers, the Richard Mandella pupil
rallied boldly to finish runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sham S.
(G3) in his past two, and was unlucky to be excluded from the Derby because of
insufficient graded earnings. Setsuko has recorded triple-digit BRIS Late Pace
figures in six of eight career starts, topped by a 118 in his Santa Anita Derby
effort. He was compromised by a lack of early pace in his only previous turf
try, but that won’t be an issue here with an abundance of early speed on tap.
Setsuko would prefer a little more ground, but with the pace scenario in his
favor, he should come rolling late for Rafael Bejarano.

WORKIN FOR HOPS (City Zip), two-for-two on turf, will probably be the one to
catch in midstretch. The Mike Stidham trainee dominated his opponents at Fair
Grounds, capturing the Grindstone S. and an allowance/optional claimer by a
combined 9 1/2 lengths. While we don’t love his far outside post, the gelding
has the tactical speed to secure a good spot behind the pacesetters. Workin for
Hops projects a stalk-and-pounce trip beneath Brian Hernandez Jr., is likely to
find the 1 1/16-mile distance ideal, and arguably rates as the likeliest
candidate to thwart Setsuko.

DOUBLES PARTNER (Rock Hard Ten) muscled his way through along the fence to
take a key turf allowance at Gulfstream Park two back, recording a 104 Late Pace
rating. The Todd Pletcher pupil flopped next time in the Lane’s End S. (G2), but
we’ll forgive him for that because he had run poorly on Polytrack before.
Returning to his preferred surface, and shedding the blinkers, the late runner
is poised to make his presence felt in the stretch. Picking up the services of
Garrett Gomez is an obvious plus.

LOST APTITUDE (Aptitude) is undefeated at this course and distance, having
captured the Grand Canyon H. and an allowance here last fall. The Dale Romans
trainee has been freshened since his failed dirt experiment in the Fountain of
Youth S. (G2), where he faded to finish last, and is eligible to rebound in a
big way back on his home court. Lost Aptitude won’t have things his own way on
the front end, however, and we’re not convinced that he’s as effective stalking.
In any event, he must be respected with Kent Desormeaux picking up the mount.

STRIKE THE TIGER (Tiger Ridge) was all heart in the Transylvania S. (G3) at
Keeneland last out, dueling through torrid fractions before just being nailed by
the classy Nordic Truce (Yes It’s True). The gelding will probably endure a
similar trial by fire Friday, and although we just can’t see him fending off all
comers, he should be in the mix late. Strike the Tiger made history for trainer
Wesley Ward when plundering the Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot last June, and
his genuine and professional attitude can carry him a long way for John
Velazquez.

GUYS REWARD (Grand Reward) finished with a flourish when third in the
Transylvania, beaten all of a neck by Nordic Truce. A repeat of that performance
would make him a logical threat, but he’s going to have a few tougher rivals to
contend with this time. ASPHALT (War Chant) hasn’t progressed as much as might
have been expected this season, but he’s been training sharply of late for Eddie
Kenneally and could get a share with a bit of improvement.

GLEAM OF HOPE (City Zip) hung en route to his fourth in the Tampa Bay Derby
(G3) last time and doesn’t look good enough to win this. SAINT ELIGIUS (Saint
Liam) has some upside for Kiaran McLaughlin, but he’s benefited from soft pace
scenarios and will face an entirely different kind of challenge here. ALFARABI
(Yes It’s True) has gone backward since beating Setsuko in a January
allowance/optional claimer on the Santa Anita lawn.