Sir Beaufort

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS

Hollywood Derby (G1) and Oak Tree Derby (G2) hero THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual
Heat) will seek his sixth straight victory when he heads to the starting gate in
Saturday’s $100,000 Sir Beaufort S. (G3), and the 4-5 choice on the morning line
looks extremely difficult to beat. However, we’ll take stand against the heavy
favorite with MASSONE (Menifee).

Trained by Ron McAnally, Massone has kept top company this season while
demonstrating his versatility, placing in the Blue Grass S. (G1), Super Derby (G2)
and Cinema H. (G3) on synthetic, dirt and turf, respectively, and he exits a
solid fourth, beaten two lengths, in the Oak Tree Derby, registering
triple-digit BRIS E1, E2 and Late Pace ratings and a career-best 104 BRIS Speed
figure for the effort. We were impressed by his turf allowance/optional claiming
score at Del Mar this summer and give the colt a fine chance to develop into a
top-class performer next season for his Hall of Fame conditioner. We’ll look for
him to spring a minor upset in this spot.

The Usual Q. T. probably belongs in a Grade 1 or 2 race instead of this minor
test, but his connections have decided not to give him a rest and that makes us
suspicious. This will be his sixth start since August, a run that started with a
turf victory over state-bred maiden special weight rivals at Del Mar, and the
bay gelding has posted some hard-fought decisions along the way. We respect
trainer Jim Cassidy and won’t be surprised to see him have The Usual Q. T. ready
for his best, but we’ll have to let the three-year-old beat us as the likely
odds-on favorite.

MR. ROD (Scrimshaw) is the likely pacesetter. The Grade 3 winner hasn’t been
able to sustain his speed effectively in his last three outings, but he could
get away with some soft fractions here. We’ll look for him to hold for part and
won’t be shocked to see him steal it on the front end.

PLEASURE TO RIDE (Candy Ride [Arg]) brings commendable form into this event,
finishing first or second in his last seven starts, and he just missed when
making his stakes debut in the Contested Bid S. at Hollywood last out. The Jerry
Hollendorfer trainee should be up close from the start and looks like a very
logical top-three contender.

Contested Bid winner RIVIERA COCKTAIL (Giant’s Causeway) will make his graded
debut for Neil Drysdale. The stalker didn’t draw the best post (8), but he’s
been making good progress in his recent starts and could make his presence felt
under regular rider Joe Talamo. GALLANT SON (Malabar Gold) posted a win over the
course in the grassy Pasadena S. two back, but he hasn’t started since a
last-place effort in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). We’re inclined to give him a
race back, but he merits some consideration for the top three in this spot.

QUOTED (City Place) and BRENTHURST (Johannesburg) will both step up in class
and stretch out to two turns off maiden wins. We’ll just watch to see how they
fare. TAMBORIM (Belong to Me) exits a couple of dull showings, so we’ll look
elsewhere.