AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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SAN PASQUAL H. (G2), 8TH-SA, $150,000, 4YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 4:07 P.M. PST, 1-9 |
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| 1 |
CHEROKEE ARTIST, 5, h, by Cherokee RunRace Artist, by Mr. Prospector O-Rosewood Stables; B-Robinson J. Mack (Ky) |
| 2 |
BOLD CHIEFTAIN, 7, h, by Chief SeattleHooked On Music, by Seattle Dancer O-Hall or Langbein Trust or Robinson et al; B-Ernest L Langbein, William Morey, Kenneth Robinson (Ca) |
| 3 |
NOWNOWNOW, 5, h, by WhywhywhyHere and Now (Fr), by Exit to Nowhere O-Fab Oak Stb, Kona Stbs LLC, Trussell et al; B-Fab Oak Stable (Ky) |
| 4 |
GOLDSVILLE, 5, h, by Successful AppealHouse D’Or, by Housebuster O-Mr & Mrs Marc C Ferrell; B-Pace Fred (Fl) |
| 5 |
NEKO BAY, 7, h, by Giant’s CausewayBrulay, by Rubiano O-Mr & Mrs J S Moss; B-Mr. & Mrs. J. S. Moss (Ky) |
| 6 |
SPURRIER, 5, h, by Dixieland BandHumble, by Valiant Nature O-Peachtree Stable; B-Nato (Ky) |
| 7 |
FURTHEST LAND, 5, G, by Smart StrikeFlagrant, by Rahy O-Sarah K & Kenneth L Ramsey; B-Wills Catherine (Ky) |
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) upsetter FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) will make
his 2009 debut in Saturday’s San Pasqual H. (G2) at Santa Anita, and we won’t go
against the synthetic specialist. The five-year-old gelding performed at a
considerably lower level on dirt and turf, finishing a well-beaten fourth in the
Claiming Crown Jewel his last attempt on a non-synthetic surface, but
he’s three-for-three on all-weather surfaces.
Two starts back in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) at Turfway Park, Furthest
Land registered his first graded stakes win with a stout late rally, registering
a career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating. When stepping up to face tougher company in
the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, the Mike Maker runner raced close to the pace before
pouncing in midstretch, earning another 103 Speed and a whopping 112 BRIS Late
Pace figure for the three-quarters of a length decision. The former claimer has
the tactical speed to sit a close trip in this paceless race, and he’ll be
reunited with Garrett Gomez, who was up for the Kentucky Cup Classic.
CHEROKEE ARTIST (Cherokee Run) figures to show speed from his rail post, and
we won’t be surprised to see him steal it on the front end beneath Rafael
Bejarano. The Graham Motion trainee has been primarily a stalker throughout his
racing career, but he’s flashed to the front on occasion and owns the best BRIS
Early Pace ratings in this field. Winner of the Presque Isle Downs Mile two
back, Cherokee Artist is four-for-six at the 8
1/2-furlong distance. We’ll throw out his last effort on turf and look for a
strong showing in this spot.
BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) will bring a three-race win streak into this
event, including a three-length score in the San Quentin S. and a five-length
tally in the Governors H. Trained by Bill Morey Jr., the Northern
California-based horse is two-for-three on the Pro-Ride, and jockey Russell Baze
will be in to ride. Given his strong present form, he’s got a chance to run well
here from just off the pace.
NEKO BAY (Giant’s Causeway) faltered as the favorite in the nine-furlong
Native Diver H. (G3) last time, but we won’t be surprised to see him run better
while cutting back in distance on Saturday. A sharp allowance winner at Oak Tree
three starts back (101 BRIS Speed rating), the John Shirreffs pupil lacked his
usual late punch last time, posting only a 88 Late Pace number after recording
century-topping numbers in his three previous starts. The confirmed closer
doesn’t look like a serious win threat to us, but he’s one to consider for the
bottom of the exotics.
NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) closed rapidly to win the 2009 San Fernando S. (G2) over
the track, but he hasn’t been seen under silks since recording a close third in
the grassy Mervin Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) in March. The late runner doesn’t
figure to get much pace to set up his rally, and this looks like a tightener for
bigger events down the road.
GOLDSVILLE (Successful Appeal) and SPURRIER (Dixieland Band) don’t look fast
enough to make a serious impact.