Malibu

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An accomplished field of seven will go postward in Friday’s $250,000 Malibu
S. (G1) at Santa Anita Park, the opening day feature. INTO MISCHIEF (Harlan’s
Holiday), winner of the 2007 CashCall Futurity (G1), was last seen returning
from a lengthy break to roll home a powerful winner in the Damascus S. on
Breeders’ Cup Saturday. If the talented Richard Mandella charge duplicates that
effort, they’re running for second behind him. Victor Espinoza has the call on
the bay, who is drawn on the rail and should be prominent from the outset.

Likely pacesetter BOB BLACK JACK (Stormy Jack) is a world-record holder at
this venue and had a perfect prep for this when a close fifth in the six-furlong
Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) for James Kasparoff. The California-bred colt is the
speed of the race, in a field void of early types, and he could be especially
dangerous if left alone early. David Flores has the mount.

GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule) did not run to his best form in the Damascus when fourth
and loses Garrett Gomez to COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow), so we are not sold on the
Kathy Walsh-trained gelding in this particular race. With that said, the dark
bay was arguably the class of the West Coast in the early spring before getting
injured, crushing our top pick in the San Vicente S. (G2) along the way, and
something similar to that would make him a logical contender in this group.
We’ll use this horse in our multi-race plays, but we do like others more for the
win.

Travers S. (G1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) star Colonel John was last
seen running a good race in the deep Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), ultimately
finishing sixth for conditioner Eoin Harty. The bay colt has had great success
over this oval, sporting a 4-3-0-0 mark, and he’s
training well in advance of this. We’re not sure how effective the sophomore
will be at this one-turn distance, but he’s full of ability and will likely be
heard from with his best.

GOLDEN SPIKES (Seeking the Gold), winner of the Carry Back S. (G2), is
winless in his last trio and will give the synthetic oval a shot in here for
Marty Wolfson. The well-bred bay has good early foot and should enjoy a nice
trip just off the early pace, but his ability to handle the Pro-Ride is the mystery. He’s good enough to be a big factor in this beneath Joel
Rosario if he likes the fake stuff.

NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) is winless since upsetting the 2007 Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Turf, and he will be reunited with his initial conditioner, Patrick
Biancone, for this engagement. This is a solid cast and we can’t suggest the
Kentucky-bred on this occasion. GUNS ON THE TABLE (Carson City) has been a model
of consistency against allowances foes for Bob Baffert, but he’s taking a major
step up in class and would surprise with a top-three finish.