San Gabriel

A field of 10 turf runners will line up Sunday for the $150,000 San Gabriel
H. (G2) at Santa Anita. With rain expected throughout the weekend, the
course will most likely be soft with a possibility of the race being moved to the main
track, but we will handicap this 1 1/8-mile contest as if it will be kept on the
grass.

A confirmed turf specialist, WHILLY (Ire) (Sri Pekan) exits a close second in
the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship S. (G1) last out (placed fifth through
disqualification). A multiple Grade 2 winner, he showed his prowess over an off turf course early in his
career, winning two of his first three on soft grass. The Doug O’Neill
charge is certainly tested for class, running and competing well in four
Grade/Group 1 events this past year, with the exception of the Arlington Million
(G1) where the newly turned five-year-old tired after setting a quick early
tempo over yielding ground. Whilly has good early speed and looks dangerous here
under regular rider Felipe Martinez.

HENDRIX (Sultry Song) comes off a 2 1/2-length victory versus
allowance/optional claiming company. The Craig Dollase trainee has fared well
over less than perfect turf courses in the past and might surprise here at what
should be a good price. Jockey Corey Nakatani has been hot lately, winning three
of his last 11, and could get Hendrix in contention in the five-year-old’s second
start off a nine-month layoff.

In ATLANDO’s (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]) U.S. debut, the five-year-old gelding used
his incredible late kick to score by a neck in the Knickerbocker H. (G3), making
a last-to-first move and earning a 117 BRIS Late Pace rating. He has won four of
his last five and is a threat for this one. Martin Pedroza rides.

DON INCAUTO (Arg) (Roy) will be making his North American debut here, coming
from Argentina where he placed no worse than third in his last 10 starts,
capturing Group 1 races in his last two outings. The gray five-year-old will be
making his first start for conditioner Darrell Vienna and could grab part. David
Flores has the call.

A close fifth in the Del Mar Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) was TOASTED’s (Hennessy)
only off-the-board finish in 10 turf starts. The five-year-old dark bay comes
off a three month freshening for trainer Laura de Seroux and could improve in
his second start off a one-year layoff. Jose Valdivia Jr. will hold the reins.

ESTEVAN (Grand Slam) owns good late speed, which has given the dark bay success
recently in capturing three of his last four. He will be making a step up in
class, but the Woodbine transplant should be able to hold his own under Jon
Court and could get up for the gimmicks. BADGE OF SILVER (Silver Deputy) will be
making his grass debut here, but the six-year-old dark bay has decent turf
breeding on his dam’s side. We won’t recommend for the win, but keep in mind for
the exotics given his success in the past year versus top-class opponents.

BURNING SUN (Danzig) has fared well on yielding turf courses, running a nice
fourth in the 2004 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S. (G1). He comes off a near 10-month layoff
and we will give him a race. CHOCTAW NATION (Louis Quatorze) will be making his
first run on the green. He has never seen anything worse than a fast track and we
will bet against. RHYTHM MAD (Fr) (King’s Theatre [Ire]) will be making his
first start in more than a year and, although he has proven successful in the
past, he might need a tightening race under his belt before taking this one.