Potrero Grande BC

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Eight-year-old HASTY KRIS (Kissin Kris) is in the best form of his career and
rates top billing for Sunday’s $200,000 Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup H. (G2).
Trained by John Sadler, the gelding waited for an opening at the top of the
stretch in the San Carlos H. (G2) last out and then charged to the front,
winning by a half-length and receiving a career-best 109 BRIS Speed rating. He
turned in several promising performances prior to that and continues to train
well in the mornings, getting six furlongs in 1:12 1/5 on Thursday. A horse for
the course (six wins and six seconds on Santa Anita’s main track), Hasty Kris
should prove difficult to deny from just off the pace.

ICE WYNND FIRE (Northern Afleet) merits serious respect off the shelf. He’s
run big off a lengthy layoff in the past, and trainer Bobby Frankel’s runners
usually excel off the extended vacation. The gray four-year-old came on at the
end of last season, earning Speed ratings of 104 and 110 for two
commendable efforts against stakes rivals, and he probably owns a bright future
in the sprinting ranks. We’ll look for Ice Wynnd Fire to offer a challenge from
off the pace under Alex Solis.

SAINT AFLEET (Northern Afleet) is also dangerous. The stalker figures to
receive a perfect trip with all the speed in the field and comes off a good win
in the Palos Verdes H. (G2) in late January. The competition is more difficult
in this spot and Saint Afleet owns little experience beyond six furlongs, but
the improving four-year-old remains a top threat and could offer a bid for it
all under Pat Valenzuela.

HARVARD AVENUE (You and I) ran well for second in the San Carlos and owns
tremendous BRIS Late Pace numbers. The Doug O’Neill charge hasn’t won since
2003, but he gets part often (five seconds and three thirds) and should be used on the
bottom of the exotics. RUSHIN’ TO THE ALTAR (Pulpit) steps up off an allowance
victory that followed a lengthy layoff. The Ron McAnally trainee didn’t earn
much of a Speed figure (95) there, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see him keep
showing in his second start back. The six-year-old should have plenty of pace in
front to close effectively.

PERFECT MOON (Malibu Moon) turned in a solid third in the San Carlos and
could rally for part here. He won his lone previous attempt at 6 1/2 furlongs
over Grade 2 rivals, but his recent form is spotty. Consider for part at nice
odds. KELA (Numerous) is a late-running threat and got very good last fall, but
the Mike Mitchell-trained seven-year-old didn’t return the same in his seasonal
bow, finishing a well-beaten third at even money last out. He owns the back
class to outperform our expectations and contend for the win, but we’ll give the
veteran a few starts to round back into top form as he gears up for Del Mar.

ROI CHARMANT (Evansville Slew) should come out flying from the start, but the
confirmed front runner will likely have difficulty sustaining his speed
throughout. ONEBADSHARK (Diligence) will be pushing the pace from the rail, but
he probably needs an easier spot to be effective. JUNGLE PRINCE (Sir Cat) is
also quick, but he’ll be severely tested for class.