Sir Beaufort J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

An impossible to separate group of 14 three-year-old turf runners will travel

one mile in the $100,000 Sir Beaufort S. (G3) over the Santa Anita lawn on

Tuesday. We absolutely demand value in such a wide-open fray as this, so we'll

side with the improving AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) to light up the toteboard.

Trained by Craig Dollase, the gelded sophomore has been first or second in four

consecutive outings following his debut, and has been freshened for a big run in

this event. The late-running gelding has worked well in advance of this and

should get plenty of pace to run at under David Flores.

IN SUMMATION (Put It Back) is well drawn on the rail and hails from the

mighty barn of Christophe Clement, who is clicking on all cylinders since moving

his tack to the Golden State. The talented three-year-old has placed in three

straight turf sprints and could relish the minor stretch-out in this contest.

Leading rider Garrett Gomez will pilot the Florida-bred.

GET FUNKY (Straight Man) was impressive in taking the Del Mar Derby (G2) most

recently and will be a major factor if he can navigate a sensible trip from the

outside post. The John Sadler trainee has relished racing on the sod, evidenced

by his 4-2-0-2 grassy mark, and has trained forwardly since his latest score.

Jose Valdivia Jr. has the difficult task of securing good running position

throughout the race for the dark bay.

KIP DEVILLE (Kipling) is good enough to top this field and could be a major

player if able to rate early under Richard Migliore. The gray is no stranger to

the  races, having amassed 10 starts in 2006, and has kept company with the

best of his division for much of the second half of this season. Conditioned by

Richard Dutrow, the colt is yet another win contender with a top showing.

PORTO SANTO (Fr) (Kingsalsa) is arguably the top closer in the field, but

could find traffic issues trying to weave his way through the 13 runners in

front of him for Julio Canani. The bay colt was an easy winner in the Bien Bien

S. when last seen, and looms as a major player if the early pace is fast. Victor

Espinoza has the riding assignment. ZANN (Dynaformer) was a creditable fifth in the Hollywood Derby (G1) in his

latest effort, and the Michael Machowsky charge could be around late with his

best. The dark bay sports a 3-2-0-0 local mark and owns a pair of wins at the

trip, but is drawn in the 12 hole and will need to save ground at some point to

challenge for the win. David Flores will ride the colt, who we'll use in our

exotics.

LIGHTNING HIT (Ire) (Orpen) possesses a solid late kick and is as consistent

as they come, making him an exotics threat for Ron McAnally. The bay colt has

been prepped for this and has the presence of Alex Solis, two positives leading

up to this. TO SENDER (GB) (King's Best) flashed brilliance earlier in the year but is in

awful current form for trainer Bobby Frankel. The well-bred bay has been

freshened since an unplaced effort in the Lexington S. (G3) in July, and

although improvement should be expected, a winning effort would surprise. Edgar

Prado will guide the sophomore. CRESTED (GB) (Fantastic Light) was a solid

second in the Hawthorne Derby (G3) two back and a useful fourth in the Hollywood

Derby last out for conditioner Wally Dollase. The chestnut gelding seems better

at a distance of ground and will likely be far back early at this trip, so his

best chances may be at completing some exotics.

The James Cassidy-trained TENT (Ire) (Distant Music) has settled for minor

awards for much of his 11-race career, and seems to be in the same situation here. SARTORIAL (Charismatic) ran his best race to date when winning last out,

but has never factored versus this type. We respect trainer Richard Mandella and

jockey Corey Nakatani, but we can't endorse at this time. LIKE RUNNING WATER (Langfuhr) has won two straight over the sod but will need

a career effort to overcome this bunch. BEDLAM BERTIE (Game Plan) and FULL IN

(Snuck In) both have displayed turf ability but seem a notch below.