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COLONIAL TURF CUP S. (G2), 10TH-CNL, $500,000, 3YO, 1 3/16MT, 5:19 P.M. EDT, 6-19

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PADDY O'PRADO ROMANS DALE DESORMEAUX K J 121
2 WORKIN FOR HOPS STIDHAM MICHAEL BAIRD E T 119
3 KINDERGARDEN KID TAGG BARCLAY VELASQUEZ CORNE 117
4 VAMOS A VER MOTION H GRAHAM PRADO E S 119
5 DOUBLES PARTNER PLETCHER TODD A GOMEZ G K 121
6 DEAN'S KITTEN MAKER MICHAEL J GARCIA A 117
7 TWO NOTCH ROAD THOMPSON GLENN R RUSSELL SHELDON 119

PADDY O'PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) is the horse to beat in Saturday's $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (G2), but the gray colt must rebound from a couple of grueling efforts on dirt in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. We'll try to beat the favorite with DEAN'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy).

Winner of the Lane's End S. (G2) on Polytrack two starts back, Dean's Kitten exits a dull 14th-place effort in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but the Mike Maker trainee owns plenty of back turf form. In his last turf start, he offered an excellent rally over an extremely speed-favoring Gulfstream Park turf course to be finish an excellent second in the Palm Beach S. (G3) to Paddy O'Prado, who rode the bias to his first career win that afternoon. Dean's Kitten won the Vision S. last October over Belmont's turf course and registered excellent BRIS numbers in his two starts prior to the Derby. The up-and-coming turf horse has trained forwardly for this appearance, should relish the 1 3/16-mile distance and figures to sit a perfect stalking trip from post 6 beneath Alan Garcia. We'll tab him for the minor upset.

Paddy O'Prado is a potential star on turf for Dale Romans, but we've seen the Triple Crown take something out of three-year-olds before and wouldn't be surprised to see him return at less than his best. Kent Desormeaux returns aboard the formidable gray, and this isn't the most difficult spot for the well-built colt. He'll be forwardly placed from the rail and it will be no surprise to see him wind up in the winner's circle.

KINDERGARDEN KID (Dynaformer) is one to consider for the top three. He followed a maiden win with a decent allowance/optional claiming score at Belmont Park last time, and trainer Barclay Tagg does well with his turf runners. The bay colt owns some respectable BRIS Late Pace numbers, but he's still facing a significant class check. We'll look for him to come up a little short against our top two choices but will still use him in third.

DOUBLES PARTNER (Rock Hard Ten) offered a solid rally to capture the American Turf S. (G2) over a suspect group of rivals last time and will step up in competition here for Todd Pletcher. The bay colt does own respectable BRIS numbers, registering 96 Speed and 106 Late Pace ratings last time, but we still have some class concerns. The improving sophomore is eligible to outperform our expectations and we wouldn't dissuade any one from using him in their exotics.

WORKIN FOR HOPS (City Zip) got away with slow fractions when wiring his rivals in the 1 1/16-mile Arlington Classic last time and was no factor in the American Turf two back. We don't like his chances at this extended distance.

VAMOS A VER (Smart Strike) is facing a difficult class hike. The Graham Motion runner is in good form, but we'll have to let him beat us. TWO NOTCH ROAD (Partner's Hero) is also doing well presently for his connections, but we'll give the recent two-time allowance winner a race at this level.

1st-DEAN'S KITTEN
2nd-PADDY O'PRADO
3rd-KINDERGARDEN KID

PEGASUS S. (G3), 10TH-MTH, $200,000, 3YO, 1 1/16M, 5:23 P.M. EDT, 6-19

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 NACHO FRIEND BREEN KELLY J TRUJILLO E 117
2 SCHOOLYARD DREAMS RYAN DEREK S COA E M 117
3 JACKSON BEND ZITO NICHOLAS P LEZCANO JOSE 121
4 SOARING EMPIRE GAMBOLATI CAM CASTRO E 117
5 AFLEET AGAIN REID ROBERT E JR BRAVO J 123
6 AFLEET EXPRESS JERKENS JAMES A CASTELLANO J J 117

Preakness (G1) third-placer JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) tops a field of six in Saturday's $200,000 Pegasus S. (G3) and we won't go against the talented colt on the cutback to 1 1/16 miles. Trained by Nick Zito, Jackson Bend chased Eskendereya in second in both the Wood Memorial (G1) and Fountain of Youth S. (G2) before recording a troubled 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He trained forwardly for the Preakness and didn't receive a clean trip that afternoon behind horses. When he got clear in the stretch, he offered a determined rally to miss by less than a length to Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike), only a head short of second-placer First Dude (Stephen Got Even). We never thought the classic distances were a good fit and won't be surprised to see the chestnut develop into a top contender for the seven-distance King's Bishop (G1) later this summer, but 8 1/2 furlongs is still well within in his scope and he posted a sharp four-furlong breeze in advance of this start. Zito's main man, Jose Lezcano, picks up the mount, and Jackson Bend will be forwardly placed before striking.

AFLEET EXPRESS (Afleet Alex) is a bit of a wildcard in his stakes debut Saturday, but we loved his allowance score last time at Belmont (field-best 113 BRIS Speed rating) and won't be surprised to see him off a serious challenge. The James Jerkens trainee has never been past seven furlongs, but he owns the pedigree to relish a route and strode out in the stretch beautifully last time, registering a 109 BRIS Late Pace rating for the 7 3/4-length score. He's a threat to wire the field with Javier Castellano.

SOARING EMPIRE (Empire Maker) is eligible to improve upon a fourth in the Dwyer S. (G2) and could offer some value to the exotics. A smart juvenile performer, the Cam Gambolati runner returned to the races this season with a sharp allowance tally at Gulfstream and was knocked around when stretching out to nine furlongs in the Florida Derby (G1), checking in eighth. He offered a good run to strike the lead on the far turn of the Dwyer last turn before weakening to finish behind Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor) and Fly Down (Mineshaft), the next-out Belmont S. (G1) one-two, and we expect to see him move forward off that encouraging effort.

SCHOOLYARD DREAMS (Stephen Got Even) came up a little short in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and missed the Kentucky Derby due to insufficient graded earnings after bypassing the Illinois Derby (G3) for the Wood, where he finished fourth. The Derek Ryan pupil returned off a freshening with a dull seventh in the Preakness and looks vulnerable to us in this spot. He did display a sharp turn of foot in three starts at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this season, so we can't dismiss his chances for rebounding with a top-three placing.

AFLEET AGAIN (Afleet Alex) is also eligible to outperform our expectations. A surprise winner of the Withers S. (G3) two back, the gray colt recorded a fast-finishing third in the Spend a Buck S. last time following a wide trip. We don't like the additional weight (123-pound highweight) he'll carry in this spot and we're not sure that this is his best distance. We'll let him beat us. NACHO FRIEND (Friends Lake) was no factor in the Spend a Buck last time and doesn't look fast enough to offer a serious challenge here.

1st-JACKSON BEND
2nd-AFLEET EXPRESS
3rd-SOARING EMPIRE

NEW YORK S. (G2), 9TH-BEL, $150,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/4MT, 5:17 P.M. EDT, 6-19

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 AVE (GB) ATTFIELD ROGER LUZZI M J 116
2 CHANGING SKIES (IRE) MOTT WILLIAM I HILL C 120
3 SWEET AND FLAWLESS REED ERIC R GONCALZES LEAND 116
4 NEHANTIC KAT TAGG BARCLAY COHEN DAVID 116
5 DAVERON (GER) CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE MARAGH RAJIV 116
6 LADY SHAKESPEARE ATTFIELD ROGER VELAZQUEZ J R 120
7 GOZZIP GIRL ALBERTRANI THOMAS DOMINGUEZ R A 118

Seven distaffers will square off over 1 1/4 miles in Saturday's $150,000 New York S. (G2) on Belmont's inner turf, and CHANGING SKIES (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) is the potential lone speed. An off-the-pace winner of the 1 3/8-mile The Very One S. (G3) two back for Bill Mott, the five-year-old mare nearly stole the Bewitch S. (G3) last time before coming up a little short at 12 furlongs. The cutback in distance here is to her advantage and jockey Channing Hill, who replaces the out-of-town Kent Desormeaux, figures to show the way on a very slow lead. A very honest performer in four U.S. starts (2-2-0), she captured her stateside debut over Belmont's turf last September and brings respectable BRIS numbers into this event. We'll give her top billing.

Irish Group 3 winner AVE (GB) (Danehill Dancer) turned in a very encouraging third at a distance that was too short for her when making her U.S. bow in the 8 1/2-furlong Gallorette H. (G3) recently, missing by only a half-length, and Saturday's trip should be right up her alley. The Roger Attfield runner could be compromised a little by a slow pace, but we won't be surprised to see her overcome all obstacles. The four-year-old filly registered a 113 BRIS Late Pace rating last time and is a threat to run past all of her rivals in the stretch beneath Mike Luzzi.

LADY SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]) also hails from the Attfield barn and must be considered a legitimate win threat. A head second in her first two starts this year, the chestnut rallied to a 2 1/2-length decision in the Bewitch last time, registering her fourth consecutive century-topping BRIS Late Pace rating, and she'll retain the services of John Velazquez here. She's never raced at Belmont or the 10-furlong distance, and we're concerned that she could be too far back in the early stages. But we won't be surprised to see her outperform our expectations.

NEHANTIC KAT (Tomorrows Cat) is going well presently, finishing second in the Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) last time, and must be considered an exotics contender for Barclay Tagg. Her form has improved at age seven and the dark bay likes an extended route of ground, so we'll use her on some tickets.

DAVERON (Ger) (Black Sam Bellamy) recorded a good-looking four-length score when making her U.S. debut versus allowance/optional claiming rivals last time for Christophe Clement, but we're not sure what she beat and still have some class concerns. The chestnut could be a little overbet in this spot, so we'll let her beat us.

Grade 1 winner GOZZIP GIRL (Dynaformer) is capable of being a serious factor at this level, but she never faced elder rivals last season and will make her first start back off a 245-day rest. She went off form at the end of her sophomore campaign and we'll give her a start back. SWEET AND FLAWLESS (Unbridled's Song) doesn't bring sharp form into this event and will likely find the class hike too taxing.

1st-CHANGING SKIES (Ire)
2nd-AVE (GB)
3rd-LADY SHAKESPEARE

ALL ALONG S. (G3), 9TH-CNL, $150,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/8MT, 4:39 P.M. EDT, 6-19

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 DYNASLEW BENZEL SETH GARCIA A 124
2 KITTY CAT EXPRESS SILVA BUTCH RUSSELL SHELDON 118
3 BLIND DATE SMITH HAMILTON A HOMEISTER R B J 118
4 TIZAQUEENA STIDHAM MICHAEL BAIRD E T 122
5 SHARED ACCOUNT MOTION H GRAHAM PRADO E S 118
6 KATARA MATZ MICHAEL R GOMEZ G K 118
7 OMEGA CAT WOLFSON MARTIN D BRIDGMOHAN JERM 118
8 CASABLANCA SMILE (CHI) MCGAUGHEY CLAUDE III DESORMEAUX K J 124

TIZAQUEENA (Tiznow) returns to the turf on Saturday when facing seven rivals in the $150,000 All Along S. (G3) at Colonial Downs. The Michael Stidham trainee captured the Arlington Matron H. (G3) over the Polytrack last out in Chicago, and added the grassy Bayou H. to her line earlier in the season. Victress of last year's Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G2), the dark bay mare has racked up a 4-2-1 line from 10 lifetime turf starts and is our pick to make it two in a row under jockey E.T. Baird.

DYNASLEW (Dynaformer) will be looking to lead this field the entire nine furlongs, and could pull off the win if she gets away with uncontested fractions. Two-for-two since transferring to trainer Seth Benzel, the four-year-old miss wired the Beaugay S. (G3) in her most recent start. Despite her front-running ways, she still earned a nice 104 BRIS Late Pace figure for that 3 1/4-length score and has won from just off the pace in the past. She'll be tough to deny under Alan Garcia.

SHARED ACCOUNT (Pleasantly Perfect) appears the one to beat off close runs against top-class company. However, the Graham Motion charge owns just one win from six tries on the green and will be making only her second start of the year, so we'll try to beat her at short odds. The bay lass owns experience over the course, just missing by a head in last year's Virginia Oaks (G3), and followed that up with a win in the Lake Placid S. (G2) on the soft going at Saratoga. The turf stayed on the soft side for her final two races of 2009 -- seconds in the Garden City S. (G1) and Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) -- and Shared Account didn't make her four-year-old bow until May in the Gallorette H. (G3). She just missed in fourth that day by three parts of a length and will keep Edgar Prado aboard as she looks for only her second stakes triumph.

Former claimer OMEGA CAT (Omega Code) proved herself worthy of a shot here after a head second in the Florida Thoroughbred Charity S. two back and a close fourth in the Eatontown H. (G3) on Monmouth Park's turf last out. The Marty Wolfson runner placed in a pair of turf allowances last fall going this distance and could move forward enough to challenge in the top three.

KATARA (Pulpit) rallied for third in the Virginia Oaks but looks a notch below these following a seventh, placed sixth via disqualification, in a division of the Valley View S. (G3) at Keeneland last October. She did return on May 29 to run second in an allowance/optional claimer, so consider for a share of the purse. Note that she's cross-entered to Saturday's John W. Rooney Memorial S. at Delaware Park. BLIND DATE (Not For Love) had her head in front of Shared Account in the Virginia Oaks and made it a stakes double when taking the off-the-turf Pearl Necklace S. next out. She was on the losing end of a head margin in the Maryland Million Oaks, but tailed off a bit in her final start as a sophomore and doesn't appear to have regained her 2009 form from two starts this season. We'll wait until she shows more before backing.

KITTY CAT EXPRESS (Cat Thief) owns lower numbers than others in here and may not be able to keep pace. CASABLANCA SMILE (Chi) (Ocean Terrace) is the wildcard in this field as the Chilean import will be making her U.S. debut in this spot. A multiple Group 1 winner in her native land going long, she could upset the whole applecart, but we're willing to give her a race to become acclimated to her new surroundings.

1st-TIZAQUEENA
2nd-DYNASLEW
3rd-SHARED ACCOUNT

AFFIRMED H. (G3), 8TH-HOL, $100,000, 3YO, 1 1/16M, 4:35 P.M. PDT, 6-19

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 SKIPSHOT HOLLENDORFER JERRY TALAMO JOSEPH 115
2 GOLDEN ITIZ ELLIS RONALD W BAZE T C 116
3 GALLANT GENT LEWIS CRAIG A ESPINOZA V 114
4 MINDBLOWER PUYPE MIKE QUINONEZ ALONSO 112
5 DISTORTED DAVE SADLER JOHN W ROSARIO JOEL 115
6 ALPHIE'S BET BARBA ALEXIS SMITH M E 119
7 THOMAS BAINES O'NEILL DOUG FLORES D R 114
8 RANGER HEARTLEY SADLER JOHN W BEJARANO R 116
9 SUMMER MOVIE SHERMAN ART GARCIA MARTIN 114

Saturday's $100,000 Affirmed H. (G3) attracted a field of nine sophomores for 1 1/16 miles over the Hollywood Park Cushion Track, and we give the John Sadler-trained DISTORTED DAVE (Distorted Humor) a chance for a minor upset. A sharp 4 1/4-length allowance/optional winner two starts back at Santa Anita, the chestnut colt stepped up to face a solid group in the Lexington S. (G3) last time, finishing an even seventh in his stakes debut. He gained valuable seasoning last time and shows a nice series of long-distance works heading into this class drop, and we like the jockey switch back to Joel Rosario. The Kentucky-bred owns solid BRIS Speed and Late Pace ratings, and we'll look for him to sit a perfect stalking trip just off a couple of front runners before offering his best.

GOLDEN ITIZ (Tiznow) is the likely favorite off his smashing 11 1/4-length allowance/optional claiming score over the track last time, but we're a little concerned about the 52-day break off that race for the late-blooming Ron Ellis trainee. After getting away with ridiculous fractions on the front end in his latest outing, the dark bay colt will revert to stalking tactics under jockey Tyler Baze. He won nicely from off the pace two back, scoring by two lengths, and looks like a very promising runner in a thin three-year-old division out West. We can't dismiss his win chances, but he's facing a significant class hike and looks like a probable underlay off the puzzling layoff.

SKIPSHOT (Skip Away) also merits consideration for top honors. After reeling off three straight wins, he finished a respectable fifth behind Sidney's Candy (Candy Ride [Arg]) and Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) two back. The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee came up a little short in the seven-furlong Lazaro Barrera Memorial S. (G3) last time, but he figures to appreciate the stretch-out and has the BRIS Speed numbers to offer a serious challenge from the rail under Joe Talamo.

ALPHIE'S BET (Tribal Rule) gave a very encouraging account of himself when capturing the Sham (G3) by 2 1/4 lengths in early March and won the restricted Snow Chief S. two starts back over the Cushion Track. His last effort against elder males in the grassy 1 1/2-mile Jim Murray H. (G2) is a throw out, but the Alexis Barba charge was pretty well-beaten that afternoon, finishing last of 10. We won't be surprised to see him rebound with a top-three placing, but his BRIS Speed numbers remain a little light.

RANGER HEARTLEY (Lost Soldier) is the likely speed, but he's unraced since late March and doesn't look fast enough to steal this one. Norfolk (G1) third-placer GALLANT GENT (Yankee Gentleman) will make his first appearance under silks since a disappointing seventh in the Delta Jackpot S. (G3) and we'll give him a race back.

THOMAS BAINES (Johannesburg) hasn't shown enough in his recent efforts for us to recommend his chances. MINDBLOWER (Giant's Causeway) hasn't started since finishing a well-beaten fourth to Golden Itiz and the maiden winner may need an easier spot. SUMMER MOVIE (Holy Bull) could add to the pace from his outside post, but we can't envision him being a factor against this company.

1st-DISTORTED DAVE
2nd-GOLDEN ITIZ
3rd-SKIPSHOT

SPOT PLAYS

For Saturday
TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE
Arlington Park (2nd) Vicky's Bar, 8-1
(4th) Nafir's Lad, 5-1
Belmont Park (7th) La Belle Gabrielle, 4-1
(10th) Angel Wave, 4-1
Calder Race Course (8th) Scootin Scooter, 10-1
(12th) Rarely Wrong, 3-1
Canterbury Park (5th) Cry Me No River, 3-1
(6th) Tiger Bud, 10-1
Charles Town (2nd) Rapid Victory, 5-1
(5th) Firefighter, 3-1
Churchill Downs (8th) Roman Silver, 10-1
(9th) Hilda's Passion, 7-2
Colonial Downs (4th) Early Star, 6-1
(8th) Lady Rizzi, 7-2
Delaware Park (1st) Snow Mon, 7-2
(4th) Street Success, 3-1
Emerald Downs (5th) Country Ledo, 4-1
(8th) Mulcahy, 6-1
Evangeline Downs (5th) Simply Gerald, 10-1
(6th) Time to Reign, 3-1
Finger Lakes (1st) Runaway Dunne, 3-1
(9th) Tomorrows Queen, 5-1
Hastings Park (1st) Misty Memory, 5-1
(5th) Vintage Vino, 7-2
Hollywood Park (6th) Victory Dash, 5-1
(7th) Always in Style, 6-1
Indiana Downs (3rd) Olivia's Tune, 3-1
(6th) Sailors Pasttiime, 3-1
Lone Star Park (4th) Lone Star Bandit, 3-1
(10th) Klondike Express, 8-1
Louisiana Downs (4th) Careless Rapture, 3-1
(8th) Southern Values, 3-1
Monmouth Park (8th) Lady Lucinda, 10-1
(12th) Riley Jayde, 7-2
Mountaineer (8th) Winningfuhrlong, 6-1
(9th) Silver Jazz, 9-2
Northlands (6th) Hawkers Gate, 3-1
(7th) Argentune, 5-1
Penn National (3rd) Court Band, 3-1
(8th) Royal Stylist, 7-2
Philadelphia Park (7th) Celtic Meal, 5-1
(9th) Our Khrysty, 4-1
Pinnacle Race Course (5th) Elusive Monster, 10-1
(6th) San Giacomo, 5-1
Prairie Meadows (8th) Santamonicacanyon, 5-1
(9th) Wild Ivan, 7-2
Presque Isle Downs (3rd) Berry Delightful, 7-2
(7th) Ryan's Gift, 5-1
River Downs (8th) My Buddy Garfield, 5-1
(10th) Eagle Time, 5-1
Suffolk Downs (4th) Warrior Cat, 9-2
(7th) Wedding Bells Soon, 6-1
Thistledown (1st) Blue Rodeo, 4-1
(13th) Daring Habit, 5-1
Woodbine (5th) Somarvelous, 3-1
(10th) Active Duty, 3-1

Courtesy of Horse Watch

Bel 6th # 1 Hoopoe (8-1) Raced well for second when sprinting in his last, picks up Luzzi and the added furlong should get him the money today at a decent price.

Churchill courtesy of George Fahey

Last nights Downs After Dark seemed to be another success. The bands were still playing til 1:00 AM and all still around were still dancing. The attendance was announced at around 24,000 but I understand, a little horse told me, it was actually 21,180. Still not bad for such a hot and humid evening. We caught a $179.00 exacta in the third race,two winners and three exactas of six races selected.

Today we have eleven chances to pick a winner. No stakes today, there were five last Saturday. We’ve got lots of inside information today, so we’ll designate which picks are tips and which picks are mine. Wish us Good luck!

Scratches - Race 2 -#7, Race 6 -#1, #10, #12. Race 9 -#3, #5, Race 10 -#1, Race 11 - all the Alsos

Were OFF THE TURF today

Race 1 - This race is one of the pure tips I got on the backside this morning. I won’t be able to reveal the sourse because it has been a good one before and I don’t want to blow it! I’ll just give you the number and keep my fingers croassed.

3 - 1 - KY, Triple Nine Fine, $10 WP, $5 Exacta Box 1/3/4 , $10 D/D 3/2, $5 Pick3 3/2/2,5 $70

Race 2 - Tom Proctor drops this three year old filly down to $20k Maiden Claiming from Mcl $75K and adds Fabio Arguello to the team. This is the girl’s third start, all at Chuurchill and she’s in the right spot. My pick!

2 - 2 - KY, Crazy Bear, $10 WP, $5 Exacta Box 1/2/8 $50

Race 3 - Jim Baker has his four year old gelding back in on the dirt and Calvin Borel back on his back. Pretty evenly matched race but this horse has won twice, all with the same Cajun pilot. He’s back!

5 - 3 - KY, Purrfect Alibi, $10 WP, $5 Exacta Box 2/3/5 $50

Race 5 - Here’s another tip with no handicapping envolved. Just the connections say that they’ll win. No other reasoning. Since breaking maiden last November has averaged getting beat by eight lengths in each race. That’s how you get a price, Leading rider Borel will get some play but this will be the longest price you’ll get today on him. I’m game.

2 - 5 - KY, Yore, $20 WP, $10 Exacta Part Wheel 2w/all $110

Race 8 - With this race off the grass, it should make this race difficult to handicap. Phil Thomas has a Tiznow five year old gelding who has came to his own just recently. He’s two for three at the meet and moves up to Starter Allowance and if he handles this wet track he should improve more. My pick!

5 -8 - Ky, Gihon, $10 WP, $5 Exacta Box 5/8/9 $50

Race 9 - Bob Baffert has a good one here going for three in a row, Same rider, Bridgmohan, as last and is high weighted today. Should clear this next condition on the first try today, My pick!

4 - 9 - KY, $50 Win, $10 Exacta Part Wheel 4/1,7 $70