Laz Barrera

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday’s $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Memorial S. (G3) features an interesting
field of 10 three-year-olds. The unbeaten CANONIZE (Aldebaran) loved the Cushion
Track when making his first start against winners in a May 3 allowance/optional
claiming event, rallying from just off the pace to win going away by 2 1/4
lengths, and the Ron Ellis-trained gelding has earned respectable BRIS Speed and
Late Pace ratings in both career starts. The extra furlong should be within his
grasp, and Canonize shows a sharp five-furlong work five days out. We’ll give
him the edge in this competitive race.

ZENSATIONAL (Unbridled’s Song) blew a huge lead when stretching out to two
turns in his last start, but the front-running gray is eligible to bounce back
in this spot. Trained by Bob Baffert, the Zayat Stables colorbearer recorded a
101 BRIS Speed number when dominating maiden rivals over the Pro-Ride at Santa
Anita two starts back, and we won’t be surprised to see the speedster handle the
Cushion Track even better. Mike Smith will pick up the mount on the wire-to-wire
threat.

TRIUMPHANT FLIGHT (Chullo [Arg]) figures to be forwardly placed under Joe Talamo
and merits respect for the win, if he runs. First in BRIS Prime Power (134.0), the Eric
Kruljac runner won his career bow and exits a runner-up finish in the Snow Chief
S. over the Cushion Track. He captured the San Miguel S. two starts back,
registering a commendable 94 Speed rating, and has never been worse than second
in six lifetime starts. Triumphant Flight wound up working six furlongs Saturday
in 1:16 1/5, which suggests he could scratch.

POSITION A (Aldebaran) came up a little short in the six-furlong Harry Henson
S. last out, but the Richard Mandella charge figures to receive a better set-up
and should appreciate the extra furlong on Sunday. We’ll look for him to give a
good account of himself from off the pace and will include him on the bottom of
the exotics.

BET ON VICTOR (Yankee Victor) didn’t fire from the rail last time, but the
Vladimir Cerin trainee may be capable of employing stalk-and-pounce tactics more
successfully from the far outside post here. We’re not sure if he’s good enough
to offer a serious challenge for it all, but we respect Bet on Victor’s chances
to grab a minor award under Garrett Gomez.

BACKBACKBACKGONE (Put It Back) exits a good score in the Harry Henson, but he
doesn’t figure to get the lead here and looks vulnerable against this company at
the distance. CHARLIE’S MOMENT (Indian Charlie) is a hard-hitting gelding for
Walther Solis, but the dark bay gelding may not be fast enough to be a serious
factor.

CARBONITE (Aldebaran) is unbeaten in two career starts, but Dennis Patterson
pupil faces a stiff class hike in his Southern California debut. We respect his
turn of foot, but we’ll just watch to see how he fares. QUINDICI MAN (Came Home)
owns a good late kick, but the former claimer could find this class hike too
difficult. ALL SAINT (Skimming) would need to improve significantly to
challenge.