La Brea E

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Speed, speed, speed. There’s plenty of it in Saturday’s $250,000 La Brea S.
(G1) and also the forecast of rain at Santa Anita, beginning in the a.m. A
terrific field of 14 soon-to-be four-year-old fillies has been assembled for the
seven-furlong test, and we’ll go with who we believe is the speed of the speed,
TRICKLE OF GOLD (Formal Gold).

The current owner of a six-race win streak, Trickle of Gold has raced
exclusively at Laurel and Delaware Park this season, compiling BRIS Speed
ratings as high as 108 in her recent attempts. She can really fly from the
starting gate, earning triple-digit BRIS E1 Pace figures that are better than
her opponents, and has proven herself at a route of ground, easily capturing the
one-mile Anne Arundel S. last out while receiving a 102 Speed number. The dark
bay owns a smart win over an off track earlier this year, so rain may help her
chances on Saturday, but the Michael Gorham trainee will face a class check in
her California bow. We think she’s good enough to run away from the opposition.

GREAT INTENTIONS (Cat Thief) brings excellent Speed figures into her
California debut and recorded a sharp three-length score in Belmont Park’s First
Flight H. (G2) last out at seven furlongs. By a young sire who is proving to
be very adept with wet track runners so far, Great Intentions owns terrific
tactical speed and the improving Michael Hushion runner will be laying close to
the pace waiting to pounce under Jon Court. We expect a strong showing.

SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band) is two for two over the track, one of those wins
coming over off going in the Las Virgenes S. (G1), but the stalker faces a
difficult task returning from a lengthy layoff at seven furlongs. The
possibility of a suicidal pace duel enhances her chances, and it won’t be a
surprise to see a menacing rally from Sharp Lisa in her return.

The late kick and improving form of THRILLING VICTORY (Event of the Year)
spark our interest. The Northern California shipper will be seriously tested
for class, but she’s on the improve for the dangerous Jerry Hollendorfer and
should be rolling late. The bay filly could add some value to the bottom of the
exotics.

SIMPLY BECAUSE (Seattle Slew) is very quick but exits a disappointing showing
for trainer David Hofmans. She does own very commendable Speed and Pace numbers
and has been training well for this start, so we can’t eliminate her from
consideration for the top three. The Grade 1-winning LEAVE ME ALONE (Bold
Badgett) will need to stalk to be effective here. She figures to appreciate the
return to Santa Anita (3-2-1-0) and could carve out a favorable trip from the
outside under Kent Desormeaux, but the chestnut did struggle over a good track
in her last start. We’ll try to beat her at likely short odds.

MISS STORM CAT (Sea of Secrets) looks talented, winning her debut last year
by 10 lengths and her lone appearance in 2005, an entry level allowance, by six
widening lengths. Two for three in her career, the lightly raced dark bay has
earned Speed ratings of 107 and 105 for those appearances, but she’s never been
seven furlongs and will be seriously tested for class. We’ll look for more down
the road from the Bob Baffert-trained miss if she stays healthy. PUSSYCAT DOLL
(Real Quiet) exits a nice score around two turns at Hollywood but faces a
difficult class hike from her far outside post. We’ll watch to see how she fares
at this level.

BERBATIM (Bernstein) made her first three starts on the main track before
switching over to the turf. We respect trainer Richard Mandella and concede that
she does own some potential for the top three from off the pace, but we’ll have
to let her beat us. SHINING ENERGY (Rahy) will probably be running late in her
first main-track appearance, but she’s tailed off in her last four starts since
winning the San Clemente H. (G2) and looks difficult to recommend here.

MYSTIC CHANT (Unbridled’s Song), who is coupled with Great Intentions, can
run early but probably won’t be able to sustain her speed. THREE DEGREES (Ire)
(Singspiel [Ire]) looks more comfortable on the grass. SOLDIER’S KISS (One Man
Army) likes the distance but doesn’t appear fast enough to challenge. RESIDENT
ALIEN (Bertrando) appears to have major class issues in this spot.