Santa Anita H. J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A full field of 14 will travel 1 1/4 miles over the Cushion Track on Saturday in
the prestigious $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1). We could go numerous directions
in this evenly matched field and feel that as many as nine of them can win, but
we expect a huge effort from MEDICI CODE (GB) (Medicean) on this day. Trained by
Darrell Vienna, the gelded four-year-old has been a top performer since coming
to the United States nearly one year ago, finishing first in the La Jolla H. (G2) and
Del Mar Derby (G2) and placing in a trio of stakes engagements, mostly notably the
Hollywood Derby (G1) two starts prior. The chestnut had no chance in the San Gabriel H. (G2)
last out but has been prepped for this race, and a look back at his past
performances shows that he was dominant over synthetic ovals in Europe. Martin Pedroza has the assignment.

MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) might be the horse to beat and certainly looms as
the one to catch in here for
Craig Dollase. The four-year-old has never been better, recording an impressive
front-running win in the Strub S. (G2) last out, and the colt has won all three
of his two-turn starts. He’s been firing bullets in the morning in advance of
this and if the dark bay reproduces his Strub effort, his foes could be running for
second. Russell Baze will pilot the Kentucky-bred.

ZAPPA (Afternoon Deelites) disappointed in the San Antonio H. (G2) but is capable of
better for John Sadler. The late-blooming six-year-old was a sharp winner of the
San Pasqual H. (G2) over this ground two back and is three-for-five on
all-weather tracks, so it’s not inconceivable that he turns it around on this
day. The Kentucky-bred should handle 10 panels with ease and has the tactical speed to
get first run on the deep closers, so we like him to complete the trifecta at
huge odds under Joel Rosario.

CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill) is bred for greatness and was much the best in
his San Marcos S. (G2) romp last out for Bobby Frankel. The five-year-old has a
fine turn of foot and is well drawn on the rail; the only question mark is if he
will handle this surface. Ramon Dominguez will guide the talented blue-blood.

Multiple Grade 1 hero TIAGO (Pleasant Tap) is another with a reasonable
chance in here, and he’ll be making his third start off the layoff for expert
horseman John Shirreffs. The bay, who won the Goodwood S. (G1) last year over a
surface resembling this one, should have no trouble with the 10 furlongs in
this one but may need the speed to back up some to produce his best effort. Mike
Smith will once again be in the irons.

AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) has never been unplaced on all-weather surfaces
and exits a useful third in the San Antonio for Dollase.
The gelded chestnut is another who might need some pace to aid his solid
late kick, but he’s done well in his morning drills leading up to this and could improve in his second off the bench. We find it interesting that David
Flores sides with this runner rather than the white-hot Monterey Jazz.

Pacific Classic S. (G1) star STUDENT COUNCIL (Kingmambo) was an even fifth in
the San Antonio last out and will be making his second start of the year for
Vladimir Cerin. The six-year-old bay is proven at the trip and showed enough
last out that he can handle this going, but as for many, he’s going to need his
best and a perfect trip. The well-bred sort is yet another contender in this
puzzle.

CELTIC DREAMIN (Game Plan) is as honest as they come, compiling a 9-5-4-0
career line for conditioner Rafael Becerra. A strong second in the Sunshine
Millions Classic most recently, the gelding is another who could surely find the
top three with a good trip and effort. Alex Solis has the call.

HEATSEEKER (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) captured the Native Diver H. (G3) earlier
in this meet and exits a fine second in the San Antonio for Jerry Hollendorfer.
The chestnut has won or placed in five consecutive synthetic outings and has
trained well in the interim, but we can’t promise that he’ll be as effective at
1 1/4 miles as he is at shorter trips. Your call.

We’re simply taking a stand on the outside three horses for post reasons. GO
BETWEEN (Point Given) was most impressive in crushing his foes in the Sunshine
Millions Classic last out, hails from the mighty barn of Bill Mott and has the
presence of top rider Garrett Gomez. With that said, another cross-country
flight and the 12-post could take a little starch out of this one in the latter
stages. Grade 1 hero GREAT HUNTER hasn’t won in a year but is slowly improving
for trainer Doug O’ Neill. The dark bay made a nice middle move before tiring
late in the Strub, and he could appreciate the added ground on this occasion.
Victor Espinoza must negotiate a dream trip in order for the four-year-old to
have a shot at a top three placing. AIR COMMANDER (Point Given) will almost
definitely have to send from the outermost post in here to have a chance, but
dueling on the front with Monterey Jazz early will likely find him gassed in the
final stages of this one for Bob Baffert. We can’t envision any scenario that
the colt, who is a cut below the best in here anyhow, hits the board against
these.

BIG BOOSTER (Accelerator), who was a close third over this oval in the
Goodwood, will also be making his second run off the pine after finishing a
belated fourth in the San Antonio. In a race with so many talented foes, it
would be hard to side with a one-run closer that must pass 13 runners. Mike Baze
has the call. SEMINOLE NATIVE (Lil Tyler) likes this oval but would be a huge
surprise in here.