Hanshin Cup

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Eight talented horses are entered for the 53rd running of the Hanshin Cup H.
(G3) at Arlington Park on Saturday. In a race which could be won by almost any
entrant in the field, CRAFTY SHAW (Crafty Prospector) will most likely go
forward as the favorite and is listed at 2-1 on the morning line. However, we’ll
go for a little more value with GOULDINGS GREEN (Charismatic) in this
one-mile affair.

The Anthony Reinstedler trainee
brings improving form into his stakes debut, earning triple-digit BRIS Speed figures
in his last three outings, including a victory last out by three parts of a
length versus allowance company at Churchill Downs. The four-year-old broke his
maiden last July over this same surface with an impressive six-length win in his
second start, and the chestnut is perfect in two tries at the Hanshin distance.
Jockey Carlos Marquez Jr. has the call.

LORD OF THE GAME (Saint Ballado) is four-for-five so far this year, his only
loss coming as a 7 1/4-length defeat to Pollard’s Vision (Carson City) in the National
Jockey Club H. (G3) at Hawthorne after an awkward start. Since that setback, the four-year-old
has been put through some
solid workouts in the morning by trainer Thomas Tomillo and appears to be in top form
presently. The
dark bay will be cutting back in distance here and his front-running style
should be a benefit against this field. Eusebio Razo will ride.

Crafty Shaw has an affinity for one-mile races, winning seven of 10 at the
distance. The seven-year-old has earned century topping Speed figures in five of
his last six, barring a fourth-place effort in the Salvator Mile H. (G3) two
back. This will be his first start since coming home second in the Turfway Park
Fall Championship S. (G3), and the Peter Vestal charge did capture last year’s edition of this race
in his only previous appearance at Arlington. He could be tough to deny with Craig Perret.

STORMY IMPACT (Major Impact) will try for his third consecutive victory in
this one. The versatile six-year-old gelding can win from off the pace or make
the trip to the winner’s circle after pressing the early lead. Trained by Frank
Kirby, Stormy Impact has earned three-digit BRIS Late Pace figures in three of
his last five and placed in six of his eight starts at Arlington. Tim Thornton
has the call.

PASS RUSH (Crown Ambassador) enters this contest off a narrow defeat in the
William Henry Harrison S. in his first start for trainer David Vance. He went
into that competition after a year-long layoff and looks prepared for this one.
Pass Rush owns previous graded success, but he hasn’t run against
this level of competition since October of 2003 when he finished second in the Ack Ack H. (G3).

NKOSI REIGNS (Out of Place) should find himself near the front in the early
going and could find himself near the front at the wire if he doesn’t get caught
in a speed duel. The Christine Janks charge has been victorious in four of his
last five starts and exits a four-length win against optional-claiming company. He has
run out of the money only once and appears good enough to keep in mind for the gimmicks. HOME OF THE STARS (Home at Last) has proven himself as a turf runner lately,
but will try the main track here after winning the Milwaukee Avenue H. last out. MISSME (Belong to Me) has landed on the board seven times in 11 tries at this
distance. Although he has proven effective on the dirt and turf, this field
might be a little too much for him.