First Flight J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

A compact field of six fillies and mares will travel seven furlongs in the

$150,000 First Flight H. (G2) on Sunday at Belmont Park. Trainer Bobby Frankel has a

potent two-horse entry in here that should be tough to upend, and we'll side

with the Hall of Fame trainer to saddle the one-two finishers.

SUGAR SWIRL (Touch Gold) lacks the credentials of her stable companion but

looks like absolute lone speed in this spot. The four-year-old chestnut exits a

game neck tally in the Alyssum S., earning a career-best BRIS Speed number (102), and should have no trouble negotiating the extra half-furlong in this contest. A

winner in two of her three tries at seven-eighths, the four-year-old should be

tough to corral under Garrett Gomez.

GINGER PUNCH (Awesome Again) gives Frankel a formidable one-two punch and

could very well win this one herself beneath Rafael Bejarano. The chestnut miss

is much improved in 2007, sandwiching second-place efforts in the Ogden Phipps

H. (G1) and Madison S. (G2) around a facile win at Churchill Downs two back. The Stronach homebred has two wins at the trip and could make it three with a top

effort.

SWAP FLIPAROO (Exchange Rate) is winless in 10 tries over Big Sandy, but

owns five runner-up efforts and could get a piece of this one for Allen Jerkens.

The gray filly is a bit erratic, but she could challenge any of these on her best

day. We're not excited about the lack of pace signed on for this, but a clean

trip under John Velazquez could be all that the four-year-old needs to finish in

the money.

SWEET FERVOR (Seeking the Gold) possesses a strong late run but is another

who could be at the mercy of the pace in this one. Trained by Bill Mott, the

Grade 2 heroine could certainly challenge for a top three placing with a little

help up front. Kent Desormeaux has the assignment. SILMARIL (Diamond) is an

extremely consistent performer, evidenced by her 31-14-5-3 mark, and has fared

well against top company for trainer Christopher Grove. The six-year-old exits a

nice win at six furlongs in the Skipat S. and is a solid 8-4-1-1 at the trip, but

she's another who could be compromised by a tepid early tempo. Eibar Coa will

ride.

NOTHING BUT FUN (Dixie Union) began her career with four wins from as many

starts but has crossed the line first just once since for Michael Hushion. The

dark bay mare would do herself wonders by getting into the race earlier than she

has recently, and a forwardly placed trip could find her battling for a placing

in the latter stages. The three-time winner over this track will be guided by

Cornelio Velasquez.