Golden Gate Fields Turf

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

SPRING HOUSE (Chester House) is the top draw in Saturday’s $100,000 Golden
Gate Fields Turf S. (G3), but we’ll try to beat the likely overwhelming favorite
with SIR DAVE (Untuttable), who will make his California debut off three
encouraging efforts this year in Florida.

Now trained by Jack Carava, Sir Dave owns good tactical speed and can finish,
registering BRIS Late Pace ratings of 95, 107 and 98 so far this season. The
improving four-year-old gelding relishes a distance of ground, winning a 1
1/4-mile event by 4 1/4 lengths two starts back, and owns a respectable 5-1-1-1
lifetime mark on the sod. Sir Dave has the look of an-and-coming stakes
performer who is capable of making an impact in a soft spot like this. We’ll tab
him for the minor upset.

Spring House is capable of winning with anything resembling his best, but
we’re not sure how good the seven-year-old gelding is presently. Trainer Julio
Canani opted for this spot over the Charles Whittingham Memorial (G1) next
weekend, and the multiple Grade 2 hero won’t always show up with his best,
failing to hit the board in five of his last seven starts. He’ll get some class
relief here, and Spring House will be difficult to stop if he finds his best
stride in the final furlongs. However, we’ll try to beat him at a very short
price.

ORDINATION (Ire) (Fantastic Light) will be stepping up off an entry-level
allowance/optional claiming score over the course/distance, but the Eoin
Harty-trained colt owns plenty of promise and may be capable of making a
successful transition to stakes company. The lightly raced four-year-old earned
a 108 BRIS Late Pace rating last time, and Ordination figures to get plenty of
pace to run at on Saturday. We give him a shot at an upset in his graded bow and
will use in the exotics.

PORFIDO (Chi) (Mash One [Chi]) is very comfortable at the 1 3/8-mile distance
and is a proven performer at this level, placing in three graded events last
season. The Bobby Frankel runner doesn’t have a strong desire to win, but he
does have experience over the course (finishing third in the 2007 Tanforan S.)
and figures to sit a good stalking trip under Brice Blanc. We respect his
chances for another top-three placing.

OBRIGADO (Fr) (Enrique) hasn’t won since 2007 and will seek a little class
relief in this spot. However, the Neil Drysdale trainee must break from the far
outside post position and is too inconsistent for us to recommend his chances.
LOCKFORD (Event of the Year) will look to stalk and pounce, but the Jerry
Hollendorfer runner is facing a steep class hike. His recent form isn’t bad,
though, but we’re still leery of backing him against better rivals.

YACHT SPOTTER (Slewdledo) just missed recording a wire-to-wire upset in the
one-mile San Francisco Mile (G2), but he’ll stretch out to an unproven distance
and will likely face more pressure on Saturday. We respect his current form and
won’t be shocked to see him hold for a minor award, but we’ll take our chances
against him. SHEM (Stormin Fever) will likely show speed from the rail, but he
probably needs an easier spot to be effective. COURT RULE (Bolder Dam) exits a
win over maiden claimers and will find this company too difficult.