San Pasqual

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) upsetter FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) will make

his 2009 debut in Saturday's San Pasqual H. (G2) at Santa Anita, and we won't go

against the synthetic specialist. The five-year-old gelding performed at a

considerably lower level on dirt and turf, finishing a well-beaten fourth in the

Claiming Crown Jewel his last attempt on a non-synthetic surface, but

he's three-for-three on all-weather surfaces.

Two starts back in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) at Turfway Park, Furthest

Land registered his first graded stakes win with a stout late rally, registering

a career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating. When stepping up to face tougher company in

the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the Mike Maker runner raced close to the pace before

pouncing in midstretch, earning another 103 Speed and a whopping 112 BRIS Late

Pace figure for the three-quarters of a length decision. The former claimer has

the tactical speed to sit a close trip in this paceless race, and he'll be

reunited with Garrett Gomez, who was up for the Kentucky Cup Classic.

CHEROKEE ARTIST (Cherokee Run) figures to show speed from his rail post, and

we won't be surprised to see him steal it on the front end beneath Rafael

Bejarano. The Graham Motion trainee has been primarily a stalker throughout his

racing career, but he's flashed to the front on occasion and owns the best BRIS

Early Pace ratings in this field. Winner of the Presque Isle Downs Mile two

back, Cherokee Artist is four-for-six at the 8

1/2-furlong distance. We'll throw out his last effort on turf and look for a

strong showing in this spot.

BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) will bring a three-race win streak into this

event, including a three-length score in the San Quentin S. and a five-length

tally in the Governors H. Trained by Bill Morey Jr., the Northern

California-based horse is two-for-three on the Pro-Ride, and jockey Russell Baze

will be in to ride. Given his strong present form, he's got a chance to run well

here from just off the pace.

NEKO BAY (Giant's Causeway) faltered as the favorite in the nine-furlong

Native Diver H. (G3) last time, but we won't be surprised to see him run better

while cutting back in distance on Saturday. A sharp allowance winner at Oak Tree

three starts back (101 BRIS Speed rating), the John Shirreffs pupil lacked his

usual late punch last time, posting only a 88 Late Pace number after recording

century-topping numbers in his three previous starts. The confirmed closer

doesn't look like a serious win threat to us, but he's one to consider for the

bottom of the exotics.

NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) closed rapidly to win the 2009 San Fernando S. (G2) over

the track, but he hasn't been seen under silks since recording a close third in

the grassy Mervin Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) in March. The late runner doesn't

figure to get much pace to set up his rally, and this looks like a tightener for

bigger events down the road.

GOLDSVILLE (Successful Appeal) and SPURRIER (Dixieland Band) don't look fast

enough to make a serious impact.