Strub

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The $300,000 Strub S. (G2) wraps up the Strub series for foals of 2001, and
ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.), who captured the first leg with a half-length victory
in the Malibu S. (G1), looms as the heavy favorite. He skipped the second leg,
the San Fernando Breeders’ Cup S. (G2), and won’t have to face the impressive
winner of that event, stablemate Minister Eric (Old Trieste). We won’t go
against the massive dark bay.

Rock Hard Ten is much more effective around two turns and his performance in
the seven-furlong Malibu off a lengthy layoff was very encouraging. He was last
early on the backstretch before beginning to pick up horses on the far turn, but
still had plenty to do at the top of the stretch. The Kentucky-bred colt would
not be denied, rallying between horses to win going away, and earning a 101 BRIS
Speed rating. He went to the sidelines last August following a disappointing
sixth in the Haskell Invitational H. (G1) and exited that race sick. Rock Hard
Ten has certainly bounced back well for trainer Richard Mandella, and we’ll look
for him to continue to show more on Saturday.

LOVE OF MONEY (Not for Love) is the speed and looms as a wire-to-wire threat.
The dark bay colt didn’t make his career debut until last June and defeated
allowance rivals by six lengths at Saratoga in August, earning a 111 Speed
figure in the process. He then stepped up and crushed his rivals on the front
end in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), drawing off to an 8 1/2-length score and
notching a 110 Speed rating. Off that effort, Love of Money went favored into
the prestigious Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) but weakened under pressure that
afternoon to finish sixth. He’s been training well in the mornings for his
return and conditioner Richard Dutrow does an excellent job bringing back his
horses off an extended layoff. Love of Money owns plenty of room for improvement
at four and could last a long way here.

GOOD REWARD (Storm Cat) didn’t come to hand for trainer Shug McGaughey until
the fall and wrapped up his sophomore campaign with an excellent win in the
grassy Hollywood Derby (G1). He hasn’t raced on the dirt since 2003, but the son
of champion Heavenly Prize is bred to thrive on the main track. If he carries
his form forward, Good Reward could be a serious factor from off the pace.

SKIPASLEW (Skip Away) figures to sit a good stalking trip and could grab part
from just off the pace. The improving chestnut recorded his first triple-digit
Speed rating two starts back and earned a 101 last time when finishing a solid
third in the San Fernando. Skipaslew is an enticing prospect for the bottom of
the exotics at 15-1 on the morning line.

IMPERIALISM (Langfuhr) likes Santa Anita (4-2-1-0) and just missed third last
time in the San Fernando. The late runner may not get much early pace to run at
here, but the classy gray can’t be counted out for the gimmicks. CASTLEDALE
(Ire) (Peintre Celebre) offered a solid rally before flattening out for fifth in
the San Fernando and may continue to show more here with a top-three placing.
However, we would like to see what he can do on the grass this year because it’s
probably his best surface. An unplaced showing Saturday will likely return him
to the sod.

DIAMOND FURY (Sea of Secrets) needed eight starts to break his maiden but is
on the improve right now, destroying allowance rivals by 9 1/2 lengths last time
over a sloppy track. We’d be surprised to see him be much of a factor here, but
will look for more down the road from the chestnut. HENDRIX (Sultry Song) has
shown decent form on the grass, but we’ll watch to see how he fares on the main
track. WITH DISTINCTION (Storm Cat) drew a tough outside post and will likely
struggle in this spot. MY CREED (Beau Genius) is probably facing too much of a
class hike in this spot.