Louisville Distaff

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Friday’s $350,000 Louisville S. (G3) going 8 1/2 furlongs will pit two of the best horses in
training in champion ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) and the under appreciated ONE
CAROLINE (Unbridled’s Song), who together have combined for 14 wins without a
loss. We have always loved One Caroline and will give the Rusty Arnold trainee
top billing on this occasion. The brilliant gray debuted over this oval last
spring and overcame a tough start to win, and that was the last time we will
mention the word “tough” with any of the four-year-old’s wins. The filly has
improved her BRIS Speed ratings with every start in her career, topped by a 108
when dominating the Rampart S. (G2) last out, and this seems like an ideal time
to beat Zenyatta, if there is such a time.

What more can we say about Zenyatta that hasn’t already been said? She’s an
all-timer who really hasn’t come close to losing in nine career starts, and her
lone dirt start may have been her best, when dominating the 2008 Apple Blossom
H. (G1). She’ll be carrying 124 pounds, hasn’t raced since October and will be
running at a distance less than her best — but that might not matter if she runs
close to her best.

Grade 1 queen UNBRIDLED BELLE (Broken Vow) has the back class to challenge
this field for Todd Pletcher, and she’ll have to run her best in her first
effort since the fall. The classy six-year-old is probably better at distances
of nine furlongs or more, but she is very good and comes in off of a pair of
solid six-furlong drills over this dirt surface. If either of the top two fail
to fire, she enters the exacta picture.

Sixty Sails H. (G3) queen SWIFT TEMPER (Giant’s Causeway) was second to our
top pick two races back but has finished in the money just once in five starts
over this famed oval. The Grade 3 heroine could get third with a well-timed
ride.

Three-time Churchill Down vixen MISS ISELLA (Silver Charm) had a good prep
for this for conditioner Ian Wilkes and will be a late presence in here with her
usual effort. The four-year-old looks like a longshot to win this, but a third-
or fourth-place effort looks within reach. FRENCH KISS (Hussonet) has won or placed in six of seven lifetime starts at
this venue for Gary Hartlage, but the one-run closer has never faced this type
with success and she looks unplayable for the win in this affair.

UNFORGOTTEN (Northern Afleet) should be forgiven for her poor showing over
the slop at Fair Grounds last out, but she’s still a cut below and looks in deep
on this day. Synthetic specialist MODIFICATION (Vindication) was a close fourth in the La
Canada S. (G2) two back, but unless she improves a great deal in a short deal of
time, she’s unlikely to get a call in this demanding tilt.