Santa Monica

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A pair of Grade 1 heroines will lead a field of seven postward in Sunday’s
$250,000 Santa Monica H. (G1) at Santa Anita, if the card survives a rainy
forecast. We’re not fond of the likely
favorites on this occasion, so we’re looking to cash some hearty tickets with MISSVINSKI (Stravinsky). Conditioned by Julio Canani, the French Group 1-placed
stakes victress has been a disappointment in her two U.S. tries, but she’s been
freshened for this engagement and is worth a long look in this one. The
Kentucky-bred was a winner in her lone all-weather effort and should get a hefty
pace at which to run. Tyler Baze will be in the irons.

Eclipse Award finalist HYSTERICALADY (Distorted Humor) will make her 2008 bow
after finishing a terrific second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) for trainer
Jerry Hollendorfer. The chestnut mare has an abundance of tactical speed and ran some fine races over
the old oval in Arcadia, California, but it’s no secret that the five-year-old is
a much better animal on dirt. We wouldn’t be shocked if
the classy Kentucky-bred were in the mix at the wire, but we’ll try to beat her
at low odds. Rafael Bejarano has the call.

KALOOKAN YEAR (Event of the Year) has the right running style for this race
and has held well versus lesser stakes company in the past, so it’s not out of
the question to see the California-bred challenging for a Grade 1-placing in
here. The Walther Solis trainee has won or placed in six of eight lifetime tries
and popped a 100 BRIS Late Pace number in her last, so we’ll use her to fill out
some trifecta wagers under Joel Rosario.

The honest SILKY SMOOTH (Mr. Greeley) is another who could be used in the
gimmicks for conditioner Jeff Mullins. The chestnut filly kept good form on the
Polytrack at Woodbine early in her career and hasn’t missed a beat since
emigrating to Southern California, taking the Viejas Casino H. and finishing a
solid second in the Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. most recently. Aaron Gryder has the
assignment.

Multiple Grade 1 vixen PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real Quiet) simply is not the same
runner on the synthetic oval and we have no inclusion for her in this field. If
this were on the main track, she’d have a big chance. OVERLY TEMPTING (In
Excess [Ire]) is plenty fast from the gate but will likely be sewn up turning
for home for trainer Bruce Headley.

INTANGAROO (Orientate) looks in deep. DEAREST TRICKSKI (Proudest Romeo) was
withdrawn in favor of Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint, where
she romped.