San Francisco Mile J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Twelve horses’ names were dropped in the entry box for Saturday’s $300,000
San Francisco Mile S. (G2) at Golden Gate Fields, though the number of starters
could drop as several Southern California invaders have also been cross-entered
in Sunday’s Inglewood H. (G3) at Hollywood Park. Our choice is FERNELEY (Ire) (Ishiguru),
who has landed in a good spot to notch his first graded stakes win in North
America.

A Group 3 winner in Ireland, Ferneley was a little slow out of the box in
making a similar impact at the same level following his importation, but he’s
done well for himself over the past five months. A narrowly beaten second to
next-out winner Proudinsky (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]) in the San Gabriel H. (G2) in
late December, Ferneley ran another strong race when losing by less than a
length in the San Marcos S. (G2) next out. Following a dud in the Thunder Road
H. (G3), which was switched from turf to Pro-Ride, Ferneley was given nearly two
months off before exploding to victory in a course-and-distance allowance prep
at Golden Gate on April 3. With that experience over the local lawn and a winner
in his last two attempts over a grass mile, Ferneley looks like a strong play under
Hall of Famer Russell Baze.

STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein), who is also a candidate for the Inglewood,
might encounter difficulty as one of several speed types in the field, but we
like the seven-year-old veteran’s back class, which was demonstrated last summer
with placings in both the American H. (G2) and Eddie Read H. (G1). Though
unraced since late August, he is a four-time winner at the distance and figures
to hang on for a slice or more if he chooses this spot.

The Cal-bred LIBERIAN FREIGHTER (Bertrando) should not to be overlooked. The
Neil Drysdale charge has finished third or better in nine of his last 10 starts,
with the
exception coming in the Sunshine Millions Turf three back, where he tired over
rain-softened ground.. He’s not the classiest horse in the race, but few in
the field give their all as often as he does. If a
couple of the stronger-looking entrants defect, it should only improve his chances at securing one of
the bigger checks.

MR NAPPER TANDY (GB) (Bahamian Bounty) was a closing second in the Arcadia H.
(G2) last time and a close sixth in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) two back.
He obviously figures if he chooses this race over the Inglewood, though his
3-for-22 career mark suggests there are better win candidates from a pari-mutuel
perspective. BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) had an outstanding 2008 campaign
which included a couple stakes scores at Bay Meadows. He hasn’t been quite as
sharp to start the new year, and was a well-beaten third behind Ferneley last
time. He is capable of better, though. SKY CAPE (Najran) is another who could
use a shot in the arm with mostly modest form showing since his upset win in the
La Jolla H. (G2) last August. MR. WOLVERINE (Last Lion) was a sharp second in
the Sensational Star H. last month following an extended layoff, and should be
much sharper for this one.

Grade 1 veteran SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) has won nearly half of his 13 starts
on grass, but is riding a three-race win streak in Tapeta sprints and would
probably be a better fit in similar conditions. Grade 3 winner AUTISM AWARENESS
(Tannersmyman) has picked a tough spot to make his grass debut. YACHT SPOTTER (Slewdledo),
runner-up to Ferneley last time, has an excellent 7-5-2-0 record over this turf
course, but the ex-claimer faces the toughest field of his career here. SILENT
SOUL (Afternoon Deelites), who was also entered in the Inglewood, doesn’t seem
classy enough for either spot. OUR PARTNER (Partner’s Hero) has won three of his
last four, albeit for claiming prices ranging from $50,000 to $80,000.