Buena Vista

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An overflow field of 13 has been entered in the $150,000 Buena Vista H. (G2)
over the Santa Anita sod on Monday. Grade 1 heroine INTERCONTINENTAL (GB) (Danehill)
will likely go off favored in this one, and we think she’ll prove too much to
handle in here. The five-year-old mare is undefeated from three starts in the
states at Monday’s one-mile distance, and will be piloted once again by Jerry Bailey.
The classy, well-bred bay will likely stalk in midpack before delivering the
knockout punch late.

BELLE ANGE (Fr) (Ganges) has had the misfortune of being stuck behind slow
paces in her two grass starts in the United States, and could find a sharper pace in
here at which to run at. The four-year-old was flattered when the horse she lost
to last out just missed in a Grade 1 event in a subsequent outing. Victor Espinoza taking the mount is a big positive to us, and we look for the improving
dark bay to be a factor in the latter stages.

SOLAR ECHO (Spinning World) returned from an 18-month layoff to post a solid
second in the Wishing Well H. in her most recent try for conditioner Ron
McAnally. Prior to that, the gray was a game second in the 2003 Del Mar Oaks
(G1) and would be a huge factor in this one if she regained that form. David
Flores will pilot the lass, who we feel has a big shot to finish in the top
three.

HOH BUZZARD (Ire) (Alhaarth) was visually impressive in holding off a
stubborn foe in the Brown Bess H. at Golden Gate last try. The Ben Cecil-trainee
could be the beneficiary of a dream trip in this one, sitting just off the
pacesetters before getting first jump on the late-runners. Her best is slightly
below the top one, but she could beat all of the others.

Group 1 heroine ASK FOR THE MOON (Fr) (Dr Fong) was a fast-closing fifth in
her U.S. bow and could be much tighter for this effort. The bay has excelled
over distances of 10 furlongs or more, and may find this trip a bit short for
her. Nonetheless, the lass has class, and would be no surprise if she finished
in the money. RESPLENDENCY (Tale of the Cat) has never started on the grass and is a
mystery on that surface for conditioner Bob Baffert. The bay is a high-class
performer on the main track and will be piloted by top rider Pat Valenzuela,
making her a logical candidate if she takes to the green.

ANY FOR LOVE (Arg) (Southern Halo) seems to be a notch below this bunch, but
has fared very well over the Santa Anita turf course and comes from the
white-hot Richard Mandella barn. The seven-year-old has won once from three
starts at this distance, so we’ll give her a shot at the exotics at a big price.
MISS TERRIBLE (Arg) (Numerous), twice a champion filly in her native
Argentina, has been marred with injuries since coming to the United States and yet to
display her top form. Now trained by Bradley Ross, the bay did most of her best
running on the front end and will likely see how far she can take them in here.
A top showing could merit her a small part.

ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality) looked sharp in her initial turf foray and
could be any type on the lawn, but we’ll need to see it again before endorsing
at lower odds. KATDOGAWN (GB) (Bahhare) is another off-the-pace type who could
factor as well, but her best days may be behind her and we’ll let her beat us. URAIB (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) has never beaten this type and would be a
surprise in this one, and the same goes for also-eligibles IRGUNETTE (Aus) (Irgun)
and MEGEC BLIS (Ire) (Soviet Star).