Wilshire

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The Wilshire H. (G3) on the opening Saturday at Hollywood Park
features a competitive field of turf distaffers. MEA DOMINA (Dance Brightly),
who is undefeated in four starts on the grass, and three at this one-mile
distance, rates our top choice. Trained by Ron McAnally, the bay filly was
simply brilliant winning her most recent outing going one mile on the turf at
Santa Anita. Mea Domina was bumped at the start, opened a clear lead while under
restraint down the backstretch, drew off with a burst of speed in upper stretch,
running the furlong between the quarter-pole and eighth-pole in :11 2/5,
then held sway by three lengths while under a mild hand ride and long hold late.
She should be hard to deny with a similar effort.

AMORAMA (Fr) (Sri Pekan) returns to the turf after finishing fourth in the La
Canada S. (G2) and fifth in the La Brea S. (G1). The Julio Canani trainee closed
from last to defeat multiple Grade 1 winner Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause
[GB]) going nine furlongs on the grass in the 2004 Del Mar Oaks (G1). Amorama is a strong closer
who figures to relish a return to the infield course. She must be respected.

PICKLE (GB) (Piccolo) just missed in an 8 1/2-furlong turf stakes last out
over yielding ground at Bay Meadows after winning her U.S. debut at this
distance at the Northern California oval. The Sanford Shulman trainee should
stalk the early runners from the outside and is a contender for a share.

The lightly raced mare BLIND AMBITION (Political Ambition) rallied to the
lead turning for home before holding on gamely for second, beaten a half-length, in her return to action in the grassy, 6 1/2-furlong Irish O’Brien S. at
Santa Anita. She has finished first or second in six of seven starts on the turf
and is perfect in one start at this distance. Consider for part.

MAKEUP ARTIST (Dynaformer) finished sixth in this event last year and exits a
good runner-up effort at this distance at Santa Anita last out. She could rally
in the lane for a minor award. FIVE NICKELS (Quiet American) has good early
speed and just missed against first-level allowance foes in her return to action
in early March. She could stick around for a part.

ANTEDILUVIAN (GB) (Air Express) is perfect in three starts in her native land
but comes off the shelf after nearly a year and may need this one. BELLE ANGE
(Fr) (Ganges) finished a non-threatening third to our top choice in her last
start and has the look of a useful miler. She has some upset potential. FESTIVAL (Jpn)
(Assatis) exits a pair of Grade 1 events on the main track but has not hit the
board in two turf starts. We’re just going to watch.