AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
| AMERICAN H.
(G2), 8TH-HOL, $150,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8MT, 4:30 P.M. PDT, 7-4 |
|
| 1 |
BUENOS DIAS (IRE), 4, c, by Peintre CelebreBuenos Aires, by Rainbow Quest O-Charles J Cella; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (Ire) |
| 2 |
STORM MILITARY (ARG), 7, h, by BernsteinShy Mandona, by Shy Tom O-Castleton Lyons & La Biznaga; B-La Biznaga (Arg) |
| 3 |
GIANT GEM, 4, c, by Giant’s CausewayTiffany’s Gem, by Effervescing O-Blatz Lp & Smith; B-La Jolla Thoroughbreds (Ky) |
| 4 |
MONTEREY JAZZ, 5, h, by ThunderelloReefside, by Dynaformer O-A & R Stables LLC or Class Racing Stable; B-Brendemuehl Danzel (Ky) |
| 5 |
WHATSTHESCRIPT (IRE), 5, h, by Royal Applause (GB)Grizel, by Lion Cavern O-Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC; B-C Mac Hale and J Hyland (Ire) |
| 6 |
ARTISTE ROYAL (IRE), 8, h, by DanehillAgathe, by Manila O-David & Jill Heerensperger; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (Ire) |
Saturday’s $150,000 American H. (G2) attracted only six entrants, and
MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) could be withdrawn in favor of Sunday’s Triple Bend
H. (G1) on the Cushion Track. WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) exits a
solid fourth in his 2009 debut, the May 25 Shoemaker Mile (G1) in which the
multiple Grade 2 winner missed by only a half-length, and we expect to see him
move forward here for John Sadler. The five-year-old horse relished the
nine-furlong distance when posting a 1 1/4-length score in last year’s American,
and he’s a two-time winner over the course. Whatsthescript owns some tactical
speed and probably won’t be far back before launching his rally under Joel
Rosario.
STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein) almost garnered his first Grade 1 victory
when third in the Shoemaker Mile last time, and we expect him to be the lone
speed in the spot, with Monterey Jazz opting for a Grade 1 bid on Sunday. The
Bobby Frankel-trained seven-year-old has always run well over this course,
posting a 4-1-2-1 mark in Inglewood, California, and Brice Blanc has been a good
fit in his last two efforts. The dark bay could prove difficult to run down on
soft fractions.
ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) is as classy as they come for Richard Mandella,
but we like the eight-year-old over a bit more ground. He’s dropped three
straight starts since capturing the 10-furlong San Marcos S. (G2) in January,
but his BRIS numbers have been excellent in those efforts. We’ll look for
another top three placing from him.
We’ll try to beat Monterey Jazz if he starts here. The Craig Dollase pupil
appears to prefer a flat mile, and he won’t get away with soft, uncontested
fractions like he did last time when recording a sharp allowance score over the
course. The Grade 2 winner is dangerous on his best day, so we can’t completely
dismiss his chances if he runs.
GIANT GEM (Giant’s Causeway) will make his stakes debut off of a pair of
victories over Hollywood’s turf, but he doesn’t own the BRIS numbers or
seasoning of out top selections. We still respect the improving four-year-old
colt and won’t be surprised to see him develop into a fine stakes performer for
Neil Drysdale, but we’ll take a wait-and-see approach with him. BUENOS DIAS
(Ire) (Peintre Celebre) offered a decent rally for runner-up honors when making
his U.S. bow versus allowance/optional claiming rivals last time, but we’ll give
the French stakes winner at least one start against graded competition before
recommending his chances.