King’s Bishop

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A phenomenal field of nine sophomore sprinters will go seven-eighths on the
main oval at Saratoga on Saturday in the $300,000 King’s Bishop S. (G1). We’ve
always liked CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (Candy Ride [Arg]) and will give him a chance at
the upset in here. Trained by Ian Wilkes, the one-turn standout was a strong
second in his prep for this behind a track-record setter in the Amsterdam S.
(G2) and seems poised for another top run on this day. The gelded bay was taken
well off the pace last out, possibly by design, and displayed a fast finishing
kick which earned him a lifetime best 105 BRIS Speed number. There isn’t an
overabundance of early speed in this field, so the Kentucky-bred should be in
the mix from the outset under Javier Castellano.

MUNNINGS (Speightstown) has earned four consecutive 108 BRIS Speed numbers
for Todd Pletcher in a breakthrough campaign, and the colt is
sure to go off favored in this field. The chestnut star was a game third in his
route experiment in the Haskell Invitational (G1) but is probably better at
this distance, evidenced by his scores in the Woody Stephens S. (G2) and Tom
Fool H. (G2). The sparkling colt shouldn’t be compromised by the rail
draw in here and has proven his versatility in running from virtually anywhere on
the track, so his favoritism is warranted.

We thought FLAT BOLD (Flatter) was going to run away with the Jim Dandy S.
(G2) last out before leveling off late for Kiaran McLaughlin, ultimately
checking in fourth. The dark bay colt faced a serious field last out and was
topped by just 3 1/2 lengths, so if the cut back in trip aids him, which we think
it will, then the colt could be in the mix for a Grade 1-placing.

Multiple Grade 1 hero VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]) exploded onto the
scene with two dominant Grade 1 wins at two, including a 2 1/4-length romp in the
Hopeful S. (G1). Purchased privately last fall by Godolphin, the colt never showed the promise from his juvenile campaign when in Dubai over the
winter but returns to the place that catapulted him to his greatest successes.
This is an awfully tough assignment to return in, but the colt did display
otherworldly talent in 2008 and shouldn’t be dismissed.

EVERYDAY HEROES (Awesome Again) began his career with four straight facile
wins, including a visually impressive romp in the Hirsch Jacobs S. (G3) in May.
was second in the Woody Stephens S. (G2) two back prior to tiring
to fifth in his debut last out for Kiaran McLaughlin, but he raced on the lead
that day and might be better suited to tracking from slightly off the early
tempo. This is another win threat in this fine field.

Grade 3 speedster BIG DRAMA (Montbrook) and seven furlongs should be a
perfect fit, but we’re not excited about the prep that this colt had for this
engagement and will stand against the talented Florida-bred. Last out for David
Fawkes, the dark bay opened up a huge lead in the West Virginia Derby (G3)
before falling short by a neck, and while we don’t knock his ability or the
courage that he displayed in that event, the fact that the colt has run two
route races sandwiched around a sprint makes us think he might not be sharp
enough for these right now. We’ve been very wrong before, though.

NOT FOR SILVER (Silver Deputy) capitalized on a wicked pace in the Carry Back
S. (G2) to inhale his foes late for Michael Trombetta to earn his first graded
stakes tally. The talented colt has plenty of ability, but on this day, it’s
unlikely the speed will back up the way it did last out. We’ll only put the late
runner on the bottom of our exotics plays. DESPITE THE ODDS (Speightstown) has ability but seems like he’s in a
difficult spot for Trombetta. The gray has been worse than second just once in
six starts, but would need at least two of the big ones in here to falter just to earn a
placing.

Possible pacesetter PRINCE JOSHUA (First Tour) was third in the Carry Back
after dueling on a serious pace and returned to take the Select S. for trainer
Barry Rose. The improving sophomore has really put it together of late
following a non-descript early portion of his career, and while we can’t see him
winning this, his early foot could see him in the lead for a decent portion of
the race.