[Kasept]

9th: The LeComte (Gr. III), 3yo, 1m


1. Texas Fever (Theriot/Stidham) 122 (4-1): Critics cite initial dirt try coming now, but star quality Stidham runner cut out for the main and has worked lights out for spot; BC Juvy Turf try a horror show, but Stonerside homebred just kept coming with sneaky great effort; $60k in Graded gelt already, and the one we're watching most closely looking towards Louisville..

2. The Darp (Albarado/Werner) 116 (8-1): Proud Citizen bay from talented Werner appreciated 2nd turn when demolishing MSW foes third career outing; May be the type that needs experience with each step forward, but faced good ones sprinting and figures to get forward placing here that should translate to good trip; Value will be there and leaning towards using $130k KEE Nov. Yearling liberally..

3. He's Eze (Rivera/Oliver) 122 (12-1): Calder invader exits traditional 2yo Miami wars and besting of Hutch hero Smooth Air when last seen sticks out on PP's; Solid conditioner Oliver rested Silver Deputy stalker for graded debut, and got local a.m. tour Monday; Repeat of Jack Price effort puts him in money today..

4. Star Guitar SCRATCHED

5. Z Fortune (Bridgmohan/Asmussen) 120 (6-1): NY-bred impressed in blowout BEL unvieling in October and followed it with facile Empire ALW score on Big A Inner; Sees open and graded company for first time, and would be no surprise if son of Siphon becomes Zayat Derby prospect #17 by day's end..

6. Blackberry Road (Borel/Carroll) 116 (7-2): $235k more than Dogwood typically spends under gavel, and D. Carroll hopeful has done little wrong on real main tracks building 6/1-1-2-1 record; Hard-pressed to swallow 7-2 ML on Gone West colt that seems a tad over-rated..

7. Mad Flatter (Graham/Thornbury) 118 (6-1): Homebred bay by Flatter earned diploma on sealed CD slop ahead of off-turf ALW score this oval; Steady figure earner could jump up, but doubt he beat much in the two wins and folded the one time he was confronted in the stretch; Leaning elsewhere..

8. Macho Again (Leparoux/Stewart) 118 (9-2): Stewart rolling at NOLA and Macho Uno grey looks like "this year's model" for West Point Derby interests; Debutted 2nd in Spa MSW that has produced glut of real horses, and neckjob to Monba in juvy season-ender hinted at good things ahead; Stalker type stands to lose ground early, but could make presence felt late under good rally rider Leparoux..

9. Star Defender (Mena/Asmussen) 116 (12-1): Should probably fear "2nd" Asmussen runner, but $400k Jess Jackson purchase looks hopeless versus these off 2yo form that featured stops at Ellis, Remington and Zia Park; Vindication bay oddly spotted unless he's grown wings since November..


SELECTIONS:

1. #1 Texas Fever
2. #2 The Darp
3. #3 He's Eze
4. #5 Z Fortune