Santa Catalina

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Catalina S. (G2) marks the return of undefeated
two-year-old champion DECLAN’S MOON (Unbridled’s Song), who makes his first
start since easily capturing the Hollywood Futurity (G1) in mid-December. The
dark bay gelding earned the lowest BRIS Speed rating of his career (97) for that
outing, but we’ll still tab him for top honors here.

Declan’s Moon isn’t very big, but he’s got a beautiful way of moving and was
very impressive in all four of his starts at two. We feel he has probably too
much of a talent edge over his opponents here, and the 8 1/2-furlong distance
appears well within his scope. The Ron Ellis trainee will be tested at longer
distances in the future, but we expect him to sit within a couple lengths of the
early lead before coming with a winning rally on Saturday.

SPANISH CHESTNUT (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) is the speed and wouldn’t shock us
with a wire-to-wire victory. He found another gear in the stretch when capturing
the one-mile San Rafael S. (G2) in front-running fashion last time, earning a
solid 99 Speed rating, and the Patrick Biancone charge is a threat to keep
improving. We’ll see how far he can take better company here.

GOING WILD (Golden Missile) comes off a nice score in the nine-furlong Sham
S. at Santa Anita and has captured three straight for Hall of Fame conditioner
D. Wayne Lukas. His last two wins have come wire to wire, but the colt needs to
learn to rate to be most effective and jockey Rafael Bejarano will probably
allow Spanish Chestnut to set the pace. We like the jockey change, and the
improving Going Wild can’t be discounted from win consideration

SNACK (Afternoon Deelites) will make his first start under Doug O’Neill after
winning two in a row at Turfway Park. Both came in the mud against much softer
company, and we’ll just watch to see how the Indiana-bred fares in this class
check.

GO COYOTE JOE (Vicar) experienced a troubled trip when stepping up to face
allowance rivals last time off a maiden win and figured to improve in his next
outing. However, that didn’t figure to come against the best three-year-olds on
the grounds. It’s hard to recommend his chances. JULIESUGARDADDY (Unusual Heat)
doesn’t look fast enough to challenge.