Tokyo City

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $100,000 Tokyo City H. (G3) drew only six entrants and looks like
a good spot for SKUKUZA (Lord Avie) to earn his first stakes win. He reeled off
three straight victories (a maiden and two allowances) before finishing fourth
in his graded debut, the San Antonio H. (G2), two starts back, but the
five-year-old gelding was facing much tougher company in that spot. The John
Sadler trainee followed that with a decent fourth in the Santana Mile H. last
out and stretches back to a more favorable nine-furlong distance here. He should
sit a perfect trip just off the two speed horses before offering his best run
under Rene Douglas.

SUPAH BLITZ (Mecke) drops in class to a spot where he can be a major factor.
We are worried about the toll that a last-place finish in Santa Anita H. (G1)
may have had, but conditioner Doug O’Neill is having a tremendous meet and
worked his charge six furlongs in a bullet 1:11 1/5 on Tuesday for this start.
The late-running five-year-old is a threatening presence.

ENDER’S SHADOW (A.P. Indy) enters off a commendable runner-up showing in the
Santana Mile and appears to be on the upswing for trainer Jenine Sahadi. He’ll
come out running from the start, but the five-year-old figures to face pressure
from JAKE SKATE (Arch) on the inside. That could compromise both, but we’ll look
for Ender’s Shadow to hold for part.

Jake Skate has recorded two seconds in two previous dirt starts at Santa
Anita, and the uncoupled O’Neill trainee will be forwardly placed from the start
under Martin Pedroza. He probably prefers a little less ground, but we wouldn’t
be surprised to see him stick around for a top three placing.

OUTTA HERE (Dehere) recorded his first victory in a long time when narrowly
capturing an optional claiming event in mid-January, but we haven’t seen him
race in 79 days since and he didn’t face much in his last start. We’ll let the
chestnut beat us. Maiden winner THAT’S AN OUTRAGE (Quiet American) always seems
to be ambitiously placed.