Goodwood

Saturday’s $500,000 Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) marks the return of
California’s big horse, ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.), who will make his first start
since capturing the $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1) by 1 3/4 lengths in early
March. Trained by Richard Mandella, the nearly black four-year-old colt reeled
off three straight victories over the winter, earning a 107 BRIS Speed rating
for his Big ‘Cap win, and has trained forwardly for his return.

In fact, if one looks back two years ago to when Pleasantly Perfect captured
the 2003 Goodwood prior to his Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) success, both
Mandella trainees own a very similar workout pattern with a series of 
long-distance works spaced out every six-to-seven days prior to a fast
three-furlong blowout on the Wednesday before the Goodwood. Rock Hard Ten
drilled three-eighths in :34 4/5, second fastest of 18 at the distance, and
appears to be sitting on go for his return. He loves Santa Anita and will add
intrigue to the October 29 Breeders’ Cup Classic with a strong performance.

GOTAGHOSTOFACHANCE (Silver Ghost) looks like lone speed and could hold for
the bottom of the exacta. Trained by Roger Stein, the gray four-year-old
finished an excellent second in the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien H. (G2) in his
seasonal bow last out and proved himself around two turns when capturing the
Lamplighter S. last year. We like the way the gelding has trained for this
appearance and Gotaghostofachance could benefit from a very slow pace up front.

ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus) probably has the best chance for an upset but
would complete a very salty exacta. We still have plenty of respect for the Bob
Baffert charge, who turned in excellent efforts to win both the Haskell
Invitational H. (G1) and Dwyer S. (G2) after returning from a freshening, and
his third-place effort in the Travers S. (G1) was probably more of a result of
the 10-furlong distance. He cuts back to a much more favorable 1 1/8-mile
distance on Saturday and will likely be in a position to challenge when the
field reaches the top of the stretch.

TOTAL IMPACT (Chi) (Stuka) owns six runner-up finishes from 10 starts at
Santa Anita and just missed by a head in this event a year ago. The
seven-year-old chestnut faces a much more difficult challenge here, but he owns
good tactical speed and could carry his form forward off a nice stakes win last
time at Del Mar. Consider for the top three.

CHOCTAW NATION (Louis Quatorze) was in position to challenge in the Pacific
Classic (G1) last time but lacked the needed finishing kick in the final
sixteenth of a mile and settled for fourth. The five-year-old seems to run his
best races at Del Mar, but he is three for four at Santa Anita and can’t be
dismissed from contention for a top-three finish. However, the one-run closer
doesn’t figure to get much pace up front. PREACHINATTHEBAR (Silver Charm) exits
several solid performances but doesn’t look fast enough to be a serious factor
here.