Las Flores

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday’s Las Flores H. (G3), to be run at six furlongs over the Santa Anita
dirt, marks the return of Grade 2 winner VICTORY U. S. A. (Victory Gallop), who
has been off since last July but has been training forwardly for Bob Baffert.
The Beaumont S. (G2) heroine, who defeated 2003 champion two-year-old filly Halfbridled (Unbridled) in that about seven-furlong test, has performed at her
best when running in sprints, taking the seven-furlong Moccasin S. at Hollywood
as well. The chestnut drilled a half-mile in :46 1/5 over this surface on
February 23, and gets the services of David Flores, so we find it hard to go
against the late-running multiple Grade 1-placed four-year-old.

Martin Jones will saddle PAPA TO KINZIE (Boston Harbor), who has yet to miss
the board in five career starts (3-0-2) and recorded a nice BRIS Speed rating
of 101 when taking a six-furlong optional claimer by seven lengths last out. If
the Grade 2-placed filly can get to the front from her outside post, she may
steal it under Patrick Valenzuela and we consider her a must use in the exotics.

QUERO QUERO (Royal Academy) switches back to the dirt for conditioner Paulo
Lobo and gets Gary Stevens in the irons. She has been off since November, but
the last time the bay five-year-old tried the dirt she finished second in the
Milady Breeders’ Cup H. (G1) at Hollywood Park. Despite the surface switch and
layoff, as well as the fact that this mare has not run less than a mile in her
last 11 starts, we’ll look for her to place.

After being claimed for $40,000 by Mike Mitchell, MINNIE THE MOOCHER (Fast
Play) has reeled off two straight victories from as many starts, recording a
Speed rating of 102 in her last. She is taking a big class hike, but we’ll
still use her in the gimmicks. MISS TERRIBLE (Arg) (Numerous) appears to be
well suited on the turf and at longer distances. Still, the bay owns some back
class and should not be completely ignored.

Baffert will also send out RUN REBECCA RUN (Swiss Yodeler), who will make her
graded debut here. We’ll watch for now as the chestnut will probably look to set up a
beneficial pace for her uncoupled stablemate. MAZELLA (Mazel Trick)
makes her initial graded foray as well and may need a race against these.

PUXA SACO (Dehere) is a confirmed sprinter but is trying better company here
and we’ll let her beat us. LIZ ON POLK STREET (A.P. Indy) has played musical
barns over the last year and has not seemed to find her place. The bay steps up
here and we have to go against. DELIZIA (Distant View) just broke her maiden
last October and may need another win before going against this level of competition.