San Carlos

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Seven of the eight entrants in Saturday’s $150,000 San Carlos H. (G2) enter
the race off a loss, and the collective group is one-for-seven in 2005. Five of
the eight are also cutting back off a route. HASTY KRIS (Kissin Kris) is a
confirmed sprinter (five wins at seven furlongs) and enters the event in good
form, having captured a 6 1/2-furlong optional-claiming event by four lengths in
his last start. Prior to that, the eight-year-old finished a good third to
Medallist (Touch Gold) in the seven-furlong Kenny Noe Jr. H. at Calder.

Hasty Kris earned a 103 BRIS Speed rating for the Kenny Noe and recorded a
104 when easily capturing his previous start at the distance at Santa Anita last October. The John Sadler trainee owns five wins and six
seconds over the track and shows a sharp six-furlong drill in 1:11 4/5 in
preparation for this test. There isn’t a lot of early speed present and jockey
Rene Douglas should have the veteran gelding up close from the start before
pouncing.

MASS MEDIA (Touch Gold) posted a couple of nice stakes wins last season for
trainer Bobby Frankel and comes off a commendable runner-up placing in the San
Fernando Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) in which he fell a half-length short going 8 1/2
furlongs. Bred to run long, the four-year-old colt has appeared more comfortable
in one-turn events and will likely be a strong favorite here. However, Mass
Media earned only a 98 Speed figure in his only attempt going seven furlongs at
Santa Anita. He remains a very formidable presence, but we’ll try to beat him at
short odds.

PERFECT MOON (Malibu Moon) turned in a top-class performance when finishing
fourth by a half-length in the seven-furlong Malibu S. (G1) two back and
probably regressed some off that stellar effort when unplaced in the Palos
Verdes H. (G2) last out. Despite being winless from two attempts, seven furlongs
looks like a perfect fit for the four-year-old gelding and he’s got Santa
Anita’s leading conditioner, Doug O’Neill, in his corner. Perfect Moon, who
should be up close from the start, looms as a dangerous win candidate.

HARVARD AVENUE (You and I) offered a stout late run for third in the Malibu
and could grab a share from the off the pace on Saturday. We’ll throw out his
last race going two turns and look for the uncoupled O’Neill charge to bounce
back with an improved showing here.

CHOCTAW NATION (Louis Quatorze) appears to be strictly prepping in this spot.
He’s expected to ship halfway around the world next month for the 1 1/4-mile
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), and trainer Jeff Mullins probably needed a race to get
his charge fit. Choctaw Nation appears better going two turns and we’d be
surprised to see him be much of a factor here. OCEANUS (Brz) (Rainbow Corner
[GB]) captured his U.S. debut, but the six-year-old
takes a steep class hike here. We wouldn’t be surprised to see
the South American import continue to improve stateside, but we can’t recommend
his chances on Saturday against this company.

SINISTER G (Matty G) will likely set sail for the lead from the start, but he
comes off a poor effort and was absolutely crushed in his last three appearances
in 2004. The Grade 2 winner owns some back class, but he doesn’t appear likely
to show up with his best in this spot. DEL MAR SHOW (Theatrical [Ire]) makes his
first dirt start. We’ll give him one.