Morvich

Recent Woodbine Mile S. (Can-G1) runner-up REBEL REBEL (Ire) (Revoque)
headlines a solid group of 11 to post in the $100,000 Morvich H. (G3) down the
Hillside Turf Course at Santa Anita on Sunday. The in-form four-year-old ships
in for sharp trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. and will likely take plenty of action at
the windows, but we’ll look elsewhere for our winner.

BUCKLAND MANOR (Bien Bien) has been graded stakes-placed on six occasions and
might have found the perfect spot to break through for trainer Juan Paco
Gonzalez. The six-year-old is not in career form in 2006, showing just a pair of
seconds from five outings, but has the look of a horse who may appreciate the
cut-back to about 6 1/2 furlongs. The chestnut loves the Santa Anita venue,
sporting a 12-4-3-2 record at the Arcadia, California, track, and lands in a field without much
early speed. Jose Valdivia Jr. pilots our top selection, who should be in the
mix from the outset.

JUNGLE PRINCE (Sir Cat) exits an even third in the Ancient Title Breeders’
Cup S. (G1) and could be quite dangerous on the front end for Juan Garcia. The
consistent stakes performer was a hard-charging third in this event last year
and may be ready for a huge effort in his third start off the layoff. With a
field void of early foot, this gelding looks to be the early pacesetter and he
could be difficult to run down with his best.

Rebel Rebel has been quite consistent as of late and merits respect on
current form alone. The bay has a late kick that could match up with most of
these, and the drop in distance could enhance his late charge even more. The
colt will be guided by Alex Solis and has posted five maintenance works in
preparation for this, two positives that should only help his chances. His
best is likely enough to win this, but we’d prefer his use on the bottom of
exotics at a smallish price.

OSIDY (Storm Cat) was a stakes winner at this trip in his latest effort and
warrants a look right back for Richard Mandella. The once heavily hyped colt
seems to have found a home sprinting on the sod if his last pair are any
indication, and we were impressed by his heart when he was confronted late in
his last. We’re not sure if the four-year-old could cross the line first, but we
consider him a must-use in the exotics.

CAPTAIN KURT (NZ) (Volksraad) registered a big effort in his U.S. debut
before faltering in the Woodbine Mile, but should appreciate the drop in class
and distance in here. The gelded four-year-old has been off the board in just
one of his 12 lifetime starts and is classic-placed in his native New Zealand,
where he did quite well sprinting. Conditioned by Melody Conlon, the outside
draw should be advantageous to the bay, as should the presence of Corey Nakatani.

TERROPLANE (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]) is always running late and could be heard
from late if the speed backs up into him. The gray five-year-old is unraced
since April and has never contested a race down the hill, leading us to believe
that this is just a stepping stone to a bigger spot later down the line.
Nonetheless, trainer Neil Drysdale knows where to spot his horses and does well
with runners coming off the layoff, so we’ll give this one a top three chance
under Pat Valenzuela.

RAILROAD (Double Honor) has faced stakes foes in six of his last seven
outings but faces his toughest group to date in here. Trained by the high
percentage Brian Koriner, the bay is ultra-consistent and is surely one to
include in the lower rungs of the gimmicks. Aaron Gryder will have the riding
assignment. Trainer Clifford Sise Jr. picked a tough spot for HOUSEOFROYALHEARTS
(Chester House) to return following a 16-month absence, but we respect the
connections and will not immediately toss him.

APALACHEE TIGER (Tiger Ridge) has never finished worse than third on the lawn
in his career but steps up in class for John Sadler. The swift chestnut will
likely be going for it early but seems a touch overmatched in this spot. A pace
presence at the least, possibly a superfecta filler. MARGARITALOSFLORES (Artax)
enjoys this surface, evidenced by his 7-2-2-1 mark over this course, but looks
to be in deep here. MOTH BALL (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) rarely wins, has never
fared well over this oval and appears to be in questionable form. No thanks.