Hollywood Turf Cup

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

SYMPHONY SID (Unbridled) dominated a field of seven in the Carleton F. Burke
H. (G3) by 5 1/2 lengths last out and will attempt to make it two in a row on
Saturday in the Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1). The six-year-old chestnut has really
come on since being claimed out of a Del Mar event in mid-July by trainer Mike
Mitchell. After a fifth (placed seventh via disqualification) in the Del Mar H.
(G2), Symphony Sid stepped up to lead an optional claimer during the Oak Tree at
Santa Anita meet. He was forced to steady late in that 1 1/8-mile test,
eventually finishing second by a length, and relished the extra ground of the
12-furlong Burke, earning a 100 BRIS Speed rating. He’ll stay at that 1 1/2-mile
distance here and keep Michael Baze in the saddle.

T. H. APPROVAL (With Approval) posted a win in the Sunset Breeders’ Cup H.
(G2) at Hollywood earlier in the season and was just a head back in second in
the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1) two back. The Eduardo
Inda-trained five-year-old was most recently seen running off the board in the
Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), but still earned a nice 98 Speed figure for that start.
A tough competitor on both Hollywood’s turf (9-4-2-0) and at the distance
(8-2-3-0), T. H. Approval has been unplaced only twice this year,
and has defeated others in this field in the past. He could easily get back to
his winning ways here under regular rider Alex Solis.

Group 3 hero ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) has yet to earn a U.S. stakes
win, but the Laura de Seroux charge has been knocking on the door all year long.
The bay five-year-old captured the 2005 Prix la Coupe (Fr-G3) prior to coming
stateside, and has acquitted himself well in each subsequent start. His numbers are equal
to or better than others in this race, and he could finally get over the hurdle
and add a first U.S. score to his record.

METEOR STORM (GB) (Bigstone [Ire]) could go off the favorite, but owns only
two starts this year with both resulting in off-the-board finishes. His last win
came in the W. L. McKnight H. (G2) at Calder last December, and the Wally
Dollase-trained veteran has a history of going long periods between victories.
Nonetheless, the seven-year-old bay owns the numbers to take this and will have
Victor Espinoza aboard. Ignore at your own risk.

RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom) was a well beaten third last out in the Burke.
The Dan Hendricks
trainee has tailed off a bit in his past couple of races, earning lower numbers
since his score in the Escondido H. three starts back.
He doesn’t appear to be a good win prospect, but could still show up in the
exotics. MIGHTY MYSTERIOUS (Mystery Storm) is a former claimer who has tested
graded stakes company in three of his last four outings. The chestnut gelding hasn’t
been disgraced in those attempts and could add some value to the bottom of the
gimmicks.

COSMONAUT (Lemon Drop Kid) owns some nice numbers, but could get caught up in
a speed duel with Symphony Sid and might not have enough left to withstand any
late rallies. We’ll let him beat us. BOBOMAN (Kingmambo) has won his past two,
but will be making his U.S. stakes debut in this spot and owns lower numbers. We
can’t recommend.