Will Rogers

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Delta Jackpot S. winner TEXCESS (In Excess [Ire]) will try the grass for the
first time on Saturday in the one-mile Will Rogers S. (G3) at Hollywood Park.
After two disappointing performances going nine furlongs, the gelding is
receiving a cut in distance, and the aforementioned surface change, and could
surprise the other eight sophomores in this contest, all of whom have turf
experience. He ran third in the eight-furlong San Rafael S. (G2) earlier this
year and we like the bay’s chances on the sod for conditioner Paul Aguirre, who
does well with first-time grass starters.

EASTERN SAND (Line in the Sand) enters off three-straight second-place
black-type finishes, all this year and for new trainer Jeff Mullins. The
chestnut is the one to beat, but we’re willing to go against his chances for the
win based on his affinity for the place. With Rene Douglas in the irons, we’ll
have to use the classy three-year-old in all levels of the exotics.

The Barry Abrams-trained JULIESUGARDADDY (Unusual Heat) switched to the grass
three back and has not lost since. The gray has shown the
ability to win from the front end or close from the back of the pack, like he
did last out in an allowance at Hollywood going the Will Rogers distance. Alex Bisono returns to ride, and it looks like our top three would make a nice
trifecta box.

SUNNK SKY (Fr) (Septieme Ciel) has finished third in both of his one-mile
starts over the Hollywood turf, the first coming in the Generous S. (G3) last
year in his U.S. bow. On paper he may appear a step below these, but we’ll have
the chestnut in the bottom of the gimmicks.

OSIDY (Storm Cat) closed like a monster last out when making his U.S. bow,
coming up 1 1/4 lengths short of Juliesugardaddy in the 5 1/2-furlong Harry
Henson S. With the added distance here, the Richard Mandella trainee could get
up for part. Your call.

TALKING TO JOHN (Souvenir Copy) finished sixth in the Harry Henson to
Juliesugardaddy, and last out came in 1 1/2 lengths behind that rival in a May 7
Hollywood allowance. Based on the gelding’s recent form, we’ll have to just
watch for now. The James Cassidy-conditioned MOTH BALL (GB) (Royal Applause
[GB]) has run his last three races at this level with little success and may be
ambitiously placed based on his most recent performances.

WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer) steps up here after a respectable win last out over
this surface and distance in which the gelding was bumped at the start, but he
still may be a level below these. CLAYMONT (Bernstein) may need a start against
these.