San Gabriel preview

Sunday’s $150,000 San Gabriel H. (G2) at Santa Anita could be moved to the main track due to
nearly eight inches of rainfall this week in Southern California. A couple of the top entrants, TRULY A JUDGE (Judge T C) and LUNDY’S
LIABILITY (Brz) (Candy Stripes), have apparently been entered just to run on the
main track and we’ll go with the former if the race is switched.

EPICENTRE (Kris S.) is the top pick if the race remains on a soft turf
course. Trained by Bobby Frankel, the newly turned six-year-old has proven
himself on any kind of footing in Europe and North America and owns a victory
over a less than firm turf at Santa Anita. A Grade 3 winner two starts back,
Epicentre has been freshened for this event and runs well off the shelf.

HABANEROS (Tabasco Cat) could earn his second graded win at Santa Anita if
the race remains on the sod. Unclaimed for a $25,000 tag at Del Mar in July, the
Thomas Bell II charge has improved greatly since switching to the grass in
October, finishing a close second in a starter allowance locally before taking
the Carleton F. Burke H. (G3) in front-running fashion two starts back. He could
wind up the lone speed once again and lead all the way.

GRAFTON (Rahy) is a formidable top three candidate on a soggy turf. The Neil
Drysdale trainee owns a 2-1-1 from five Santa Anita turf starts and brings
strong BRIS Late Pace ratings into this event. It’s easy to envision him closing
for part.

Truly a Judge comes into this event on a tear, winning the Native Diver H.
(G3) in dominating fashion last time and he has recorded superb Speed figures from his
last two outings. The David Bernstein-trained gelding can lead all the way over
a wet dirt track.

Lundy’s Liability is a classy entrant, winning the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H.
(G2) off a layoff in his first U.S. appearance after taking the rich U.A.E.
Derby (UAE-G1) earlier this year. The Frankel trainee didn’t show his best last
time in the Clark H. (G2) at Churchill and could turn in a much better showing
from just off the pace here.

STAR CROSS (Arg) (Southern Halo) comes off a layoff but does own plenty of
stakes experience. The late runner could finish up for a small share if the race
is moved to the main track. CONTINENTAL RED (Flying Continental) can handle both
turf and dirt but is probably better on the grass. He’s an exotics contender
over an off turf course.

FORTY SUERTUDO (Arg) (Roar) brings decent Speed ratings into
this event but will be facing better company in this spot. We can’t recommend.
MUD SHARK (Deputy Commander) didn’t show much in the Native Diver and might need
an easier spot to be effective. SEA TO SEE (Al Mamoon) steps up in class off a
dull showing in his 2004 bow. We’ll just watch to see how he fares.