Citation – E

TRACK BANDIT GRADED PREVIEWS

A strong field of 10 will travel one mile in Friday’s $300,000 Citation H.
(G1) at Hollywood Park on Friday in what will be the last start for deserving
Grade 1 hero COWBOY CAL (Giant’s Causeway). Trained by Todd Pletcher, the game
four-year-old tired late in the swiftly run Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) last out,
but with a more favorable scenario in front of him this time around, we like his
chances at the win. The dark bay was a fine winner of the Oak Tree Mile (G2) two
back, registering a terrific 102 BRIS Speed rating, and a repeat of that should
be good enough to win under new skipper Rafael Bejarano.

Grade 1 victor MONZANTE (Maria’s Mon) is a powerful closer, posting BRIS Late
Pace ratings of 116 and 110 (twice) in his last five starts, and while he hasn’t
enjoyed the same success in 2009 as last season, we still respect the back class
of the Mike Mitchell trainee. An even sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) last
out, finishing just 4 1/2 lengths shy of Conduit (Ire) (Dalakhani), the gelded
gray will be running hard late and chould challenge for the win with his best.
Alex Solis has the call.

TIMES GONE BY (Giant’s Causeway) has a sensational turn of foot and useful
tactical speed, so we don’t see the widest post being that big of a deal for the
chestnut. Trained by Richard Mandella, the swift Kentucky-bred ran a “sneaky”
good fourth in the Clement L. Hirsch H. (G1) last out and surely benefited from
a fitness perspective. The jockey switch to Alonso Quinonez is not a positive,
but we’ll use this one nonetheless.

Grade 1 star EVER A FRIEND (Crafty Friend) was shelved for close to 18
months, but returned to stylishly win a down-the-hill turf sprint for Mike
Mitchell last out. The gray six-year-old has excellent speed and has been a
completely different animal in his four tries in the Golden State, with three
wins and a runner-up finish to show for his fine work. We will use the gelded
Kentucky-bred on the bottom of the exotics, expecting that his best might be
down the road in a race or two.

PROUDINSKY (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]) was a decent fourth in this race in 2008 but
is a better runner on turf with some give in it, and this field is likely better
than the one he encountered last season. The consistent bay is an obvious
gimmicks player, but we don’t like his win chances. FLUKE (Brz) (Wild Event)
could add speed to the pace from the rail, and while we like the heart he showed
in his last two starts, he might need something better to make a splash against
these. Joe Talamo has the call.

BLUE CHAGALL (Fr) (Testa Rossa) dominated the Lure S. over this oval for his
second consecutive win, but the gelding had never shown that ability before and
he’ll have to prove it to us against a much better field on Friday. He could be
rallying into a fast early pace, though, so consider for a minor award under
Garrett Gomez. EL GATO MALO (El Corredor) has a nice turf win over our third
pick but lacks the consistency to endorse on this occasion for Craig Dollase.

SKYRUSH (Arg) (Orpen) has turned in a couple of solid efforts since being
imported to the United States by trainer Darrell Vienna, finishing a decent
fourth in the Oak Tree Mile (G2) last out. The dark bay would need big
improvement to run down this group late, but he’s another who could pick up a
piece from off the pace. ENRICHED (High Brite), claimed for $32,000 two races
prior, looks out of his league in here.