Citation (G1)

The $400,000 Citation H. is one of three Grade 1 turf events
during the Autumn Turf Festival at Hollywood Park this weekend
and the only one held on Saturday. Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) hero
NOTHING TO LOSE (Sky Classic) was bet down to 4-1 in the
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) last time and figures to receive plenty
of support in this spot, but we’ll go with GONDOLIERI (Chi) (Gold
Tribute) to get the money.

A Group 1 turf winner in his native Chile, Gondolieri was sent
to the United States last year and raced mostly on the dirt for
trainer Ron McAnally, but the five-year-old gelding did record a
fine second in the grassy Arcadia H. (G2) at Santa Anita. He
spent more than half of 2004 on the sidelines before returning to
action at Del Mar, where he recorded a close runner-up finish
against a classy field on the main track, and then turned in a
stellar performance in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile (G2) last
out, finishing fourth by a half-length while competing against
eventual Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Singletary (Sultry Song) and the
classy Musical Chimes (In Excess [Ire]). Gondolieri owns plenty
of room for improvement in his third start off the layoff and it
sometimes takes South American imports at least a year to
acclimate to the new surroundings in the United States. We’ll
look for a big race from Gondolieri on the front end.

THREE VALLEYS (Diesis [GB]), a Group 1 winner in England last
season, makes his first start stateside for new conditioner Bobby
Frankel and must be respected. He finished a fine second in his
2004 bow to eventual Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) winner Haafhd
(Alhaarth) and then went to the sidelines following one more
appearance. The 210-day layoff is a bit of a concern with the
three-year-old, but Frankel can get them ready as well as anybody
off the shelf. The classy Three Valleys could prove difficult to
deny.

Nothing to Lose remains a threat for it all. The uncoupled
Frankel trainee may not have cared for the yielding turf at Lone
Star Park when 11th last time, and he offered a powerful run in
his start before that to capture the Shadwell Turf Mile over a
strong field. The four-year-old colt owns experience in
California and terrific BRIS Late Pace figures. He should offer a
stout late challenge.

LEROIDESANIMAUX (Brz) (Candy Stripes) has captured his last
four starts, including the Morvich H. (G3) and Inglewood H. (G3)
in his last two. The improving four-year-old faces a steep class
hike here, but he’s one-for-one over the course and should enjoy
a good trip with his tactical speed. A top three finish appears
very possible.

TSIGANE (Fr) (Anabaa) offered a solid run for third in the
Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) earlier this year and
experienced traffic trouble when fifth in the Oak Tree last time.
The Julio Canani trainee owns a good late kick and could possibly
close for a share. MINGUN (A.P. Indy) owns some European class,
winning a Group 3 Irish event last year, but he hasn’t shown much
in his last two attempts for conditioner Aidan O’Brien. He could
be a factor if he takes to the California turf, but we’ll just
watch to see how he fares in his U.S. bow.

FAIRLY RANSOM (Red Ransom) enters off a sharp allowance score
but will be tested for class in this spot. Last year’s Hollywood
Derby (G1) runner-up owns a dangerous late kick, so consider for
the bottom of the exotics. SPECIAL RING (Nureyev) faded badly in
the Breeders’ Cup Mile but does own good previous form at
Hollywood (7-2-3-0). The seven-year-old is a threat at his best,
but he seems to run better with more time between starts. He also
must overcome the far outside post.

BUCKLAND MANOR (Bien Bien) owns commendable turf form but may
be a little better at a mile. We’ll go against the speedy colt in
this spot. MANANAN MCLIR (Royal Academy) may need an easier spot
to be effective. A TO THE Z (Benchmark) steps up in class off a
victory over Cal-breds and would be a big surprise.