San Juan Capistrano Invit.

A field of 13 has been entered in hopes of bagging the top prize in
the $250,000 San Juan Capistrano H. (G2) at Santa Anita on Sunday. Defending
champ T. H. APPROVAL (With Approval) comes into this race in fine form and gets
the top nod from us to retain his crown. The Eduardo Inda charge has closed
stoutly in his pair of outings in 2006, finishing second in both the San Luis
Obispo H. (G2) and San Luis Rey H. (G2), and seems poised to run these down
under Alex Solis.

ONE OFF (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) has every right to rebound following a dismal
performance in the San Luis Rey for trainer Neil Drysdale. The six-year-old
gelding owns a good deal of tactical speed which makes him especially dangerous
in this spot, allowing Garrett Gomez to get get first run on the deep closers.
We still don’t think this one’s best will be good enough for the win, but a top
three placing is well within reach.

QUINQUIN THE KING (Fr) (Take Risks) lacks nothing in the stamina department
and has been in the money in eight consecutive outings. The gray is a bit of a
wildcard in here, but he’s had time to acclimate to the United States with a pair of works
in advance of this one and appears to be in peak form. The Bob Hess Jr. charge
is certainly worth including in all wagers.

CAPITANO (Belong to Me) comes out of the ultra-competitive Arcadia H. (G2) at
one mile and should appreciate the added distance in this marathon. Trained by
Thomas Bell, the five-year-old chestnut owns a win over the course and has a
touch of back class, leading us to believe that his first trip past 1 1/8 miles
will be handled rather well. A good use on the exotics at a square price.

WILD BUDDY (Line in the Sand) showed a lot of heart in fighting back after
being passed in the San Luis Rey most recently and figures to be in the thick
of it until the latter stages. The seven-year-old is winless at Santa Anita, but
has put in some good efforts and seems poised for another solid showing here.
His best may also be a tad bit shy of some of the others, but he can certainly
hit the board.

MISTO QUENTE (Brz) (Royal Academy) drew the advantageous rail post and will
attempt to add a black type placing in this run. The ever-dangerous Bobby
Frankel conditions the improving bay, but he’s never beaten this type and would
do well to complete the trifecta. GOLDEN RAHY (Rahy) sports a solid 5-3-0-0 mark over this sod and excels at 10
furlongs or more, but his last effort scares us from picking him higher in
this fray. The lightly raced seven-year-old is a Grade 3 hero at 1 1/2 miles and
could be close at the end. Yet another possible include on your growing trifecta.

BULLISTIC (Holy Bull) has never conquered this type and would be a bit of a
shock to be in the top four. We like the improving nature of this gelding and
certainly respect the connections, but we’ll need to see more before backing
at this level. TOTALLY PLATINUM (Dynaformer) struggled to pass his first allowance
condition and is ambitiously placed in here, but is bred to run all day and is
trained by Bob Baffert, giving him some hope for a payday.

SORT IT OUT (Out of Place) has never won on grass and his turf debut two
starts back wasn’t encouraging. BALUSTRADE (Green Dancer) has one win since
2004 and will be challenged to finish in the top half of this field. MODERN ERA
(Aus) (Marscay) takes the blinkers off for this but should still be toward the
rear at the conclusion of this one. MINO ONA (Arg) (Flag Down) just beat a
$25,000 maiden claiming field in his 11th career start and is way out of his league
with this group.