Louisville H.

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Saturday’s Louisville H. (G3) attracted 11 runners for 1 1/2 miles over
Churchill Downs’ turf, but there isn’t much speed in the field. We think EAGLE POISE (Empire Maker)
will take advantage of the conditions and show the way early. Exquisitely bred
for the turf, the four-year-old has raced only twice over the sod, winning an
entry-level allowance at Woodbine last year in his last attempt, and we’re
excited to see Bill Mott bring him back to the green. He’ll bring solid form
into the Louisville, recording a close third following a front-running trip in
the 12-furlong Tokyo City
Cup H. (G3) at Santa Anita last time, and appears capable of setting soft early
fractions here beneath Jamie Theriot. We’ll tab him for a wire-to-wire decision.

Defending champion BRASS HAT (Prized) will be rallying late under Calvin
Borel and deserves serious respect off his runner-up effort in the Elkhorn S.
(G2) at Keeneland. The Grade 1-winning gelding registered a 112 BRIS Late Pace
rating last time and can still bring it despite his advanced age (nine), but
this race doesn’t set up well for the confirmed closer. We’ll still use the Buff
Bradley charge in second.

Grade 1 winner TELLING (A.P. Indy) is eligible to improve off a tightener in
his seasonal bow last time. A fast-finishing third in the 2008 River City H.
(G3) at Churchill, the six-year-old appears to like the local course and owns good tactical
speed. The Steve Hobby runner should sit a good stalking trip from post 3 with
jockey Shaun Bridgmohan and we’ll use him in our top three.

BEARPATH (Dynaformer) experienced a troubled trip when seventh in the Elkhorn
last time and merits consideration for a minor award here. An upset winner of
the Pan American S. (G3) two back, the four-year-old has improved since stretching out to longer distances four starts back
for Ian Wilkes,
garnering BRIS Late Pace ratings of 111 and 109 in a couple of efforts. We’ll
include him on some tickets.

Steeplechaser SPY IN THE SKY (Thunder Gulch) loves a route of ground and has
run well in his last three “flat” starts for trainer James Day. He’s facing a
stiff class check here, but we’re intrigued by his good current form and can’t
dismiss him from exotics consideration. BLUSHING BEAR (Rahy) will enter on the
upswing for James Dodgen, registering triple-digit Late Pace numbers
in his last two attempts, but he was unplaced in two maiden attempts over the
Churchill turf last fall. He’s eligible to outperform our expectations, but
we’ll let him beat us.

Three-time champion SILVERFOOT (With Approval) loves the local sod but may
have lost a step or two at 10. We’ll just watch. SILVER MOUNTAIN (Victory
Gallop) owns some back class but doesn’t look sharp enough to challenge. FREE
FIGHTER (Out of Place) exits a couple of disappointing efforts and we’ll look
forward to his return to Illinois-bred competition. MARCH TO VICTORY (Dixieland
Band) defeated claiming rivals two back and will probably find this company too
difficult. HIDDEN GLANCE (Kingmambo) hasn’t won since 2008 and will make his
stakes bow from post 11 with an 11-race losing skein in tow.