Norfolk

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike), who swept Del Mar’s two main juvenile
features, the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Best Pal S. (G2), is the obvious class
of the California-based two-year-olds. That doesn’t mean, however, that trainer
Bob Baffert will have the bay completely cranked for Sunday’s $300,000 Norfolk
S. (G1) at Santa Anita with the more prestigious and lucrative Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile (G1) right around the corner. This 1 1/16-mile Pro-Ride test seems like
the best time to go against the likely favorite.

DAVE IN DIXIE (Dixie Union) is our choice to pull off the mild upset. The
John Sadler trainee turned in an impressive late kick to win his six-furlong
debut at Del Mar by 3 1/4 lengths, and earned a 104 BRIS Late Pace figure. It’s
that kind of potent late run that can elevate a horse’s chances on synthetic,
and there is nothing in the colt’s pedigree to suggest that the extra
five-sixteenths will prove a hindrance. Sadler is off to a strong start at the
Oak Tree meet, with his first four starters finishing either first or second.

We’ll pick Lookin at Lucky to fill out the exacta. The undefeated colt has
not been an overwhelming winner of his three starts, and seems to be the kind
that does only just enough to win. That’s still a good quality to have in a
juvenile as the determination to win is still present. He’s another who should
only get better as the distances increase.

HURRICANE IKE (Graeme Hall) is another from the Sadler barn, and while
well-beaten in both the Best Pal and Del Mar Futurity, he did reduce his margin
of defeat in the latter while experiencing a less-than-favorable trip. Despite
racing six-wide in the stretch, the Florida-bred put in a nice stretch punch to
earnx a 101 Late Pace figure. He can improve stretching out to two turns for
the first time.

GALLANT GENT (Yankee Gentleman) got in a useful two-turn prep when taking a
minor stakes at seven furlongs over the Fairplex bullring last time. The former
claimer is well versed on synthetic, too, having won at both the Hollywood and
Del Mar meets. He can contend for a share if this class hike doesn’t prove to be
too steep.

JOHN SCOTT (Bertrando) seeks to follow in the hoofsteps of his sire, who won
the 1991 Norfolk. He’s made two brilliant moves from the rear of the field to
take both starts, including the I’m Smokin S. for California-breds. Time will
tell whether he can stretch out successfully or destined to be a late-closing
sprinter. We have a hunch it’ll be the latter, so we’ll try and beat him here.

JUNG MAN SCOTT (Freud) got the place in the With Anticipation S. (G3) over
the Saratoga turf, and his connections have shipped west hoping they have a
Breeders’ Cup candidate. We’re still inclined to back locally-based runners
despite this one’s preference for more forgiving surfaces. ALFARABI (Yes It’s
True), PULSION (Include) and CAME ABROAD (Came Home) have all fared well around
two-turns, albeit against maidens. We’re not quite sure any of them are
potential stakes-quality horses, though.

STERLING OUTLOOK (Eurosilver) set the early pace and weakened late in the Del
Mar Futurity, and we don’t think his job will be any easier here. SEATTLE RULER
(Roman Ruler) went unplaced in three of five maiden attempts at Hollywood and
Del Mar, but found the winner’s circle with an easy score in the Barretts
Juvenile in his dirt debut at Fairplex. We believe his future lies on that
surface. English import LUCKY RAVE (GB) (Luck Story) has two synthetic wins in
his homeland, but he’ll be tested for class in this spot.