Sham J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

The unbeaten EL GATO MALO (El Corredor) is the top draw in the $200,000 Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita on Saturday. We like the ability of

the sure favorite but will attempt to beat him on this occasion.

COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) displayed a ton of ability as a juvenile, winning the

Real Quiet S. and finishing third in the CashCall Futurity (G1) for trainer Eoin

Harty, and has been freshened for this engagement. The Kentucky-bred has been

working well in preparation for this and gets the services of Garrett Gomez,

which is never a negative, and he looks very live in this spot. We expect the colt to

be in midpack early before putting in a winning late charge.

El Gato Malo has done little wrong for conditioner Craig Dollase and is

another live contender in this event. The impressive sophomore has crushed his

opponents in all three starts, including a a runaway win in the San Rafael S.

(G3) most recently in which he was aided by a rapid pace. We still question what

the gelding has been beating, and we have some reservations about him getting

nine furlongs, so it looks like the right time to try and beat him at low odds.

David Flores will break from the rail aboard the Kentucky-bred.

REFLECT TIMES (Jpn) (French Deputy) was impressive in his first two starts

prior to a distant third in the Bob Lewis last out for John Shirreffs, and the

colt will try added ground in here. It's hard to distinguish if the sophomore is

a one-turn closer or one who wouldn't mind nine furlongs at this point, but he's

adding blinkers and certainly deserves another chance for a sharp barn. Mike

Smith has the call.

California Derby third VICTORY PETE (Five Star Day) will likely be forwardly

placed in this one for Alexis Barba, but his lone win came on the turf and he

looks like little more than an early pace presence in this field. We'll pass at

this time.

SUCCESS FEE (Mineshaft), a three-quarters brother to Grade 1 winner and

current sire Stephen Got Even (A.P. Indy), is still winless from four career

starts and would do well to get fourth on this day. TREVOR'S CLEVER (Stephen Got

Even) has closed ground in three straight versus cheaper and would need serious

improvement to factor with these.

COAST GUARD (Stormy Atlantic) had the look of a potential upsetter in here,

but trainer David Hofmans has announced his intentions to scratch the colt due

to a minor physical ailment.