Skip Away

BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus) and NOBLE CAUSEWAY (Giant’s Causeway) are the top
draws in Saturday’s $100,000 Skip Away H. (G3). Both four-year-olds are making
their first stakes appearance in a long time, and they both like Gulfstream
Park. We’ll give the edge to Bandini.

Winner of the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass S. (G1), Bandini exited a 19th in the
Kentucky Derby (G1) with an injury and underwent surgery. He returned to the
races for conditioner Todd Pletcher on March 1, winning a one-mile event by 3
3/4 lengths, and earned a superb 107 BRIS Speed rating. The dark bay colt
registered a 109 for his Blue Grass win, and he relishes Gulfstream, winning three of four attempts, the lone setback being a close
second in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) last year. Bandini can be placed anywhere with his
natural speed and looms as a serious wire-to-wire threat here.

Noble Causeway hit the gate at the start last time but recovered to win quite
nicely, circling rivals on the far turn to draw clear into the stretch. The Nick
Zito trainee earned only a 97 Speed rating for that effort, but last year’s
Florida Derby (G1) runner-up has recorded big Speed numbers in the past and owns
plenty of room for improvement in his third start off the layoff Saturday. The
chestnut shows a 3-3-0 mark from six starts over the track, but the late
runner’s at a tactical disadvantage given the lack of speed in the field.

NETWORK (Pulpit) has hit the board in his last two dirt starts, both graded
stakes, and could add some value to the exotics from off the pace. The one-run
closer owns terrific BRIS Late Pace ratings and a 3-2-1-0 mark at Gulfstream,
but he’s winless in three attempts at nine furlongs. He may have too much to do
late, but we’ll use him in some exotics.

WHOS CRYING NOW (Concerto) finished a good second to Lava Man (Slew City
Slew) in the Sunshine Millions Classic two starts back and experienced a
troubled trip when fourth at long odds in the Gulfstream Park H. (G2) last out.
His 102 Speed ratings from his last two attempts are very respectable, and the
six-year-old gelding has trained forwardly for Manny Tortora since his last
start. Whos Crying Now is one to consider for the top three.

CONTANTE (Arg) (Interprete) made a big, sweeping move to reach contention in
the Gulfstream Park H. last time but hung a little late, finishing second by a
neck. The Stanley Hough six-year-old has won only once in the United States, but
he’s proven capable of challenging for part at this level. His chances could be
compromised, though, by a tepid pace. WE CAN SEEK (Chi) (Seeker’s Reward) moves
from turf to dirt for trainer Mark Hennig, but he doesn’t look fast enough for
us to recommend his chances.

Brazilian Group 3 winner O’CONNELL’S (Brz) (Jules) will make his U.S. debut
for trainer Eduardo Caramori. We’ll watch to see how he fares. ZOFFINGER
(Unbridled) has done his best running in New Jersey and looks overmatched in
this spot.