Santa Maria

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of 10 is set to go postward in the $250,000 Santa Maria H. (G1) at
Santa Anita on Sunday, headlined by Grade 1 heroine MUSICAL CHIMES (In Excess
[Ire]), who is making her main track debut. Although we think highly of this mare on the
sod, the switch to the main surface versus top company may prove too much, and
we’ll look elsewhere for the top spot.

MISS LOREN (Arg) (Numerous) looked super when thrashing an overmatched group in
the Paseana H. most recently and is a proven commodity with top-class West
Coast performers for conditioner Luis Seglin. Her far-off-the-pace running
style usually finds her with a bit much to do, but she should find a lively pace at
which to run at in here. Jose Valdivia Jr. will likely find himself in the
winner’s circle atop the seven-year-old.

STAR PARADE (Arg) (Parade Marshal) has been on the shelf since August of last
year, but seems her best when fresh for conditioner Darrell Vienna. The
six-year-old mare was all heart in winning this race last year and will need an
effort similar to if not better than that, to take this. The presence of Victor
Espinoza and her outside post help her chances, as she’ll have first run on the
closers. A win would not surprise, although we prefer her to complete the
all-Argentine exacta.

HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush) also comes from off the pace, but she ran arguably
her top race most recently and could be ready to blossom into a top distaffer in
2005. The dark bay rallied into a slow pace and proved much the best in taking
the Bayakoa H. (G2) last out and has worked well in advance of this one. Top
rider Pat Valenzuela gets aboard, leading us to believe that the four-year-old
could be very live and should be used on all tickets.

The aforementioned Musical Chimes could certainly run big in her dirt debut,
and this is not the first time trainer Neil Drysdale has flirted with the idea
of dirt racing for the dark bay. Top East Coast jock Edgar Prado will make the
trek and pilot the mare, taking over for regular rider Kent Desormeaux, so we’ll
use her on the bottom of the exotics at lower than deserved odds.

BORN TO DANCE (Service Stripe) is the wildcard of the group and holds the
cards to many of her competitors’ chances. The Michigan-bred was very good at
middle distances in 2003 at the graded level, but has been seen just three times
since due to injuries. The Vladimir Cerin trainee had the lead turning for home
in the Santa Monica H. (G1) last out at seven furlongs and will likely lead the
field for some time here, the question is how long? PERSONAL LEGEND (Awesome Again) has won consecutive stakes races for trainer
Bobby Frankel and is in career form. The chestnut has really taken to the main
surface after a lifetime of mainly lawn racing and is usable in exotic wagering,
but she is likely to be overbet due to connections and we’ll stand against.

FESTIVAL (Jpn) (Assatis) took the off-the-turf Dahlia H. (G3) last out but
toppled just four that day, none of which were this caliber. STORMICA (Storm
Cat) is undefeated from two starts upon this oval and bred to handle this trip,
but must show us more before backing in a Grade 1. GOOD STUDENT (Arg) (Louis Quatorze) is a Group 3 heroine in her native
Argentina but has raced on the sod for six straight. She may show speed early,
but we can’t envision her being around in the latter stages. PETIONVILLE INDEED
(Petionville) has hit the board once from her previous eight starts and seems
ambitiously placed in this fray.