Boiling Springs

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $150,000 Boiling Springs S. (G3) at Monmouth Park has attracted a
talented field of sophomore turf fillies. Although a few have strong claims in
here, we’re intrigued enough by TRIPLE CREAM (Tapit) to tab her in first start
for James Toner. Out of the classy turfiste Swearingen (Deposit Ticket), Triple
Cream has held her own in two deep graded events in Southern California of late,
and that form likely makes her competitive in her East Coast debut. The fact
that former trainer David Hofmans had no hesitation to throw her straight into
graded company off a maiden win is another plus. Fourth to Cozi Rosie
(Pleasantly Perfect) in the Senorita S. (G3) in her stakes bow, she just missed
second in a three-way photo with Andina (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) and City to City
(City Zip). Triple Cream then dead-heated with Andina for that same spot in the
Honeymoon H. (G2) last out, beaten a little more than a length by Grade 1 star
Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet). Considering that Toner strikes at 33 percent in
the “first start with trainer” category, and that Triple Cream has the tactical
speed to lie close early, she could be sitting on a breakthrough race with new
rider Eddie Castro.

The ultra-consistent BAY TO BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire], the 5-2 morning-line
favorite, brings terrific form into this 1 1/16-mile contest. The Brian Lynch
trainee finished a closing second to Eastern divisional leader Check the Label (Stormin
Fever) in her reappearance in the Appalachian S. (G3) at Keeneland, then
followed up with a 2 1/2-length victory in the American One Thousand Guineas at
Arlington Park. We’re a little concerned that her deep-closing style won’t
translate well at Monmouth, but Bay to Bay promises to come charging late. Alan
Garcia picks up the mount.

Expected pacesetter STRIKE IT RICH (Unbridled’s Song) has won two in a row
for Christophe Clement, including the local prep, the Little Silver S., which
she took in wire-to-wire fashion. Her speed makes her dangerous over this
course, but she’ll have to hold off a stronger group for an extra sixteenth of a
mile on Saturday. Strike It Rich still rates as a prime threat to lead all the
way beneath a returning Garrett Gomez.

Juddmonte Farms’ COSSET (Mizzen Mast) is a wild card in her first start
outside the maiden ranks — not only because of the class test, but also
tactically speaking. The Bill Mott filly showed early foot in her first two
outings at Santa Anita, both runner-up efforts, but came from the rear to break
her maiden at Belmont recently. If Cosset lies close, she could be good enough
to make her presence felt; if Jose Lezcano is too patient, she might have too
much ground to make up. With her pedigree and connections, though, she’s worth a
saver at a square price.

MARTITA SANGRITA (Johar) didn’t factor in two prior stakes attempts, but
appears to be on the upgrade at present for Michael Matz. The Lael Stables
homebred chased the useful Canadian filly Ernfold (Stormy Atlantic) in a
Keeneland allowance two back, and she comes off a four-length allowance romp at
Delaware. While Martita Sangrita still needs to prove herself at this level,
she’s very much going in the right direction. Jeremy Rose, who got along with
her so well at Delaware, will be back in the saddle.

IN THE ROUGH (Stormy Atlantic), ELUSIVE TEMPER (Elusive Quality) and GREAT
GRACIE DANE (Royal Academy) — the respective second, third and fourth from the
Little Silver — must step up their game to turn the tables on Strike It Rich.
Of these, In the Rough has the strongest credentials, having defeated a
work-in-progress Check the Label in the Coconut Grove S. way back in February.
JUSTAROUNDMIDNIGHT (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), who couldn’t break her maiden in
five tries in Ireland, finally got the job done at this course and distance on
June 13. The relatively short rest, and class concerns, give us pause. We’ll
watch ISLAND TIME (Trippi) as she makes her turf and two-turn debut.