Santa Anita H. J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A full field of 14 will travel 1 1/4 miles over the Santa Anita Pro-Ride oval
in Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1), and one could go a number of different
ways in this ultra-competitive race and feel good about their chances. We can
make a case for 10 of them, so we’ll take a stab with an improving sort at big
odds.

MAGNUM (Arg) (El Compinche) has transformed into a new animal since being
gelded, running a big third in the San Pasqual H. (G2) prior to eclipsing the
San Antonio H. (G2) in his latest effort. The Darrell Vienna trainee has a ton
of back class, finishing second in the 2006 edition of this prestigious race,
and he earned a 128 BRIS Late Pace figure in his latest try over this strip. Two
months ago we would have put this horse last, but his form reversal seems so
dynamic that he’s our upset selection in this wide-open contest.

MATTO MONDO (Chi) (Sir Cat) has improved in dramatic fashion in his last pair
for Richard Mandella, rolling to a smart allowance score, and most recently, a
facile win in the Thunder Road H. (G3) when it was washed off the lawn and put
on the main strip. The dark bay five-year-old was a multiple Group 1 winner in
his native Chile and it took him a while to acclimate to his new surroundings,
but all appears to be well as of late. Rafael Bejarano will take over riding
duties on the Chilean, who could lead at every call from the rail.

ZAMBEZI SUN (GB) (Dansili [GB]), a French Group 1 winner, was headstrong
throughout in the San Luis Obispo H. (G2) in preparation of this and faded to
sixth, but trainer Bobby Frankel assured that his last was just a prep and all
is well right now. As simple as we can say it — if the classy five-year-old
runs his best, there is no way he’s not in the top three. Victor Espinoza will
be in the irons.

EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck) is the one to beat in his synthetic debut for
Helen Pitts, as the multiple Grade 1 winner has proven to be the highest quality
on dirt and turf. The brilliant seven-year-old finished a very good third in the
Donn H. (G1) last out with an impossible post, and we love that he came over
here early to become accustomed to this oval. Julien Leparoux will guide the
major contender.

BLUE EXIT (Pulpit) was unlucky not to take the Strub last out, as the bay
four-year-old encountered trouble in the lane while flying home between horses,
ultimately finishing a close second. The bay took a while to develop once coming
to the United States, but the addition of blinkers has apparently done the trick with
the talented Kentucky-bred. Robby Albarado inherits the mount.

COWBOY CAL (Giant’s Causeway) has earned wins in the San Pasqual H. (G2) and
Strub S. (G2) in his last pair and could move up even more with the added
distance in this test. The Todd Pletcher pupil is a model of consistency
throughout his 11-race career and has the tactical speed that will be necessary
in such a deep field. John Velazquez will trek to California to retain the mount
atop the four-year-old.

CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill) didn’t show much in the San Luis Obispo H.
(G2) last out but should be fully loaded for this race for Frankel. The multiple
Grade 1-winning six-year-old was a fine third in this race last season, with a
questionable trip, and we see no reason why he can’t do the same against these. COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) has won three of his five tries over this oval and got
the services of Garrett Gomez, so the colt is a logical inclusion in this
difficult spot. While we’ve never been that high on the four-year-old, his
record speaks for itself and he could be primed for a good showing in here for
Eoin Harty.

European import DANSANT (GB) (Dansili [GB]) is a proven all-weather performer
and will hope to make a big impact in his stateside debut for Gerard Butler. The
five-year-old bay has won two of his last three and will get Lasix for this one.
Tyler Baze has the call. COURT VISION (Gulch) will hope to transition from the turf to synthetic for
Bill Mott, and the four-year-old is fond of Southern California as evidenced by his
Hollywood Derby (G1) score. The dark bay is coming up to this race in good form,
but he travels a lot and we question if he’s due for a subpar effort.

STREAM CAT (Black Minnaloushe) drew the awful 14 post and has not proven that
he can will a race of this magnitude. CAUSE (Giant’s Causeway) was a sneaky
sixth in the Strub, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths, at odds of 120-1. We can’t
endorse this longshot, but we could see those who would.

Grade 1 victor MONBA (Maria’s Mon) was a decent third in the Thunder Road for
Pletcher, but we’re not fond of his chances in this one in his second off the
lengthy layoff. HEROI DE BAFRA (Brz) (Royal Academy) was claimed for $40,000 two
prior and looked good in his synthetic debut last out for Peter Miller, but this
move seems too ambitious.