Eddie Read J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

We envision two probable scenarios in the $350,000 Eddie Read H. (G1) —
MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) leads wire to wire or WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal
Applause [GB]) — and we’ll take the late runner.

Winner of the 2008 Del Mar Mile H. (G2), Whatsthescript missed by only a
half-length in last year’s Eddie Read and can easily handle the 1 1/8-mile
distance. He will be making his third start off the layoff for John Sadler,
recording a pair of solid, late-running efforts in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) and
American H. (G2), and the bay five-year-old figures to have a legitimate pace up
front. Whatsthescript has earned century-topping BRIS Late Pace ratings in six
of his last seven starts, with his career-best BRIS Speed rating (104) coming
over the turf at Del Mar, and he looks primed for a top showing on Saturday.
We’ll look for him to get up under Joel Rosario.

Monterey Jazz dominated the July 4 American, winning in wire-to-wire fashion
by 3 1/4 lengths, and he’s trained spectacularly in the 21-day interim for Craig
Dollase, registering a five-furlong bullet breeze over Hollywood’s Cushion Track
on Monday. The five-year-old appears to be hitting his best stride on the turf,
registering a 103 BRIS Speed number last time, and is drawn favorably on the
rail beneath the hot-riding Tyler Baze. It will be no surprise if he leads all
the way.

ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) will offer more value than the top two and
owns the late kick to challenge. A multiple Grade 1 winner, the eight-year-old
impressed trainer Neil Drysdale when working six furlongs in 1:15 2/5 over Del
Mar’s turf on Monday, and the Hall of Fame conditioner opted for the Eddie Read
over the much more lucrative Arlington Million (G1) on August 8. Artiste Royal has exhibited
commendable form this season, winning the San Marcos S. (G2) in January and
placing in his last three outings, and the ridgling will look to mow down his
rivals in this spot.

GLOBAL HUNTER (Arg) (Jade Hunter) offered a solid run for third in last
year’s Del Mar Mile, and we’ll throw out his last effort over Hollywood’s
Cushion Track. The six-year-old turned in a sharp three-furlong bullet drill
in preparation for this start, and the A.C. Avila pupil will likely be up close
stalking the pace under Corey Nakatani. We give him a shot to grab a minor award
at long odds. AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) is another contender for part. The
late-running gelding will be tested for class in this spot, but he’s run very
well in two turf efforts against lesser this year and managed a respectable
sixth against outstanding company in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Alex
Solis retains the mount on the chestnut.

Dual Grade 1 winner THORN SONG (Unbridled’s Song) will make his first start for
conditioner Mike Mitchell, and the six-year-old ran well last time in Southern
California, leading all the way in the Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita two
starts back. He might be a little better suited for a mile or 8 1/2 furlongs,
and the gray doesn’t figure to get an easy lead, with the possibility of a
change in tactics from Mike Smith. We can’t get over those concerns.

DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata) hasn’t competed on grass since breaking his maiden over
Hollywood’s turf last July. Since then, he’s made all but one of his starts over synthetic ovals
with the exception coming on Fairplex’s dirt. Conditioned by Jerry Hollendorfer,
the four-year-old can finish, placing in three consecutive stakes prior to his
ninth in the Hollywood Gold Cup H. (G1) last time, and he’ll appreciate the cutback
to nine furlongs. Garrett Gomez, who last guided the gelding to a runner-up
effort in
January’s San Fernando S. (G2), will retake the reins, but we’ll just watch to
see how Dakota Phone fares against top-class turf performers.

RICHARD’S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) will make his first start for Bob Baffert, but
he looks overmatched in his turf debut.