Churchill Downs S.

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of nine sprinters will go seven-eighths in the $250,000
Churchill Downs S. (G2) on the Derby undercard. No single horse in here stands
out so we’ll fish for a big price in this contest.

HEWITTS (Concerto) ships in from the West Coast for trainer Bob Hess Jr. and
looks like a viable longshot in this group. The gelded four-year-old has never
turned in a poor effort, winning three straight prior to finishing a close
fourth in his latest try. We loved the bay’s debut on the dirt and the fact that
he smoked a bullet five-eighths in preparation for this one. Kent Desormeaux will
be aboard the Florida-bred, who should be prominent from the opening bell.

NOONMARK (Unbridled’s Song) was most impressive when taking the Mr.
Prospector H. (G3) two back for Steve Asmussen, and a repeat of that effort will
find the Kentucky-bred difficult to upend in this one. The dark bay
five-year-old was a flat third at Fair Grounds in his last effort, but he may
have bounced some following his win at Gulfstream and could be primed for
another top showing against this field. Shaun Bridgmohan will be atop the
stalker, who could have the race fall into his lap turning for home.

We’ve always loved JUNIOR COLLEGE (Ide) and we’re impressed by the fact that
he popped his lifetime-best 104 BRIS Speed number at this venue when rolling in the
Bet on Sunshine S. last fall. Trained by Tony Reinstedler, who is another of
our favorites, the gelded six-year-old has an adjustable running style that
could find him virtually anywhere he needs to be in the early going, and that
could be a huge factor in this field. The Jesus Castanon-ridden bay is an
obvious win contender with something close to his best.

Essex H. hero SPOTSGONE (Bright Launch) is winless in six tries here but has
looked good in 2008 and is a live exotics threat at a big price for William
Fires. The speedy bay only shows wins when he leads at every call and he’d be
tickled with the scratch of Wanderin Boy, so we’ll move him up.
Joe Johnson will pilot the five-year-old, who will offer a nice price.

THOUSAND WORDS (GB) (Dansili [GB]) has never raced on the dirt and is
the wildcard of the field for Bobby Frankel. The well-bred bay exits an even
fifth in the Commonwealth S. (G2) as the lukewarm favorite and continues to
train over a synthetic track, so we have no idea how he’ll handle this surface. Your call.

ISLAND WARRIOR (Cherokee Run) would light up the tote board with a win, but
it should be noted that his current connections didn’t drop $80,000 for fun and
the horse is coming off a fine score. Now in the hands of the capable Cody
Autrey, who is 26 percent first following a claim, the five-year-old is a smart
5-2-2-0 over this track and could conceivably contend for a top four placing
with a pace meltdown.

CARNACKS CHOICE (Carson City) either turned the corner or was flattered by
the synthetic oval at Keeneland, and we’re going to side with the latter. If
we’re wrong, you’ll likely get a huge price and Garrett Gomez, but we must take
a stand somewhere. Commonwealth second-placer ELITE SQUADRON (Officer)
drew the rail and will likely be sent hard once the gate opens, but we think he’ll be exhausted in the final stages and must pass in
here. John Velazquez has the mount.

WANDERIN BOY (Seeking the Gold) opted to run in the Alysheba S. (G3) on
Friday and is expected to scratch.