La Jolla

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Seven competitors will line up Saturday for the $150,000 La Jolla H. (G2) at
Del Mar and WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer) will enjoy an advantage against a field that is fairly devoid of
speed. The bay gelding had an easy wire-to-wire victory against allowance
company three back and again in the Cinema Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) last out.
Willow O Wisp has really improved since moving to the shedrow of Vladmir Cerin,
winning two of three and coming in a close second in the Will Rogers S. (G3).
Cerin and jockey Garret Gomez have teamed up to win three of their last six, and
Willow O Wisp could wire it again here under Gomez.

EL ROBLAR (War Chant) is so far unbeaten in three careers starts, winning all
by three parts of a length. He won his only start at Del Mar last out in the
Oceanside S. and has improving BRIS Speed figures coming into this one. The dark
bay will be making his first start around two turns in this 1 1/16-mile turf
event and should finish up well for trainer Richard Mandella. Victor Espinoza will
ride.

JULIESUGARDADDY (Unusual Heat) snapped a three-race win streak in the
Oceanside last out, finishing third to El Roblar. The
gray turns around here to improve off that outing and can race on the pace
or charge late. He is likely for the exotics.

IN EXCELSIS (Fusaichi Pegasus) just missed last out in the Oceanside,
rallying late in the end but coming up three parts of a length short while a
head in front of Juliesugardaddy. He won
his only start at this distance and could be a threat here under jockey David
Flores. STEAL YOUR THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) exits a fifth in the Oceanside. The Carla
Gaines trainee has been putting up nice BRIS Late Pace figures and could rally
to grab part here.

STEDFAST MCSTAUNCH (Ire) (Desert Style) will be stretching out to a route for
the first time and could be outclassed in this one. BOGGY CREEK (Menifee) is
proven over the main track, but has struggled in both of his turf starts. We
will bet against.