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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
A contentious field of 11 will line up in Saturday's Santa Anita Derby (G1) over the Cushion Track. POLONIUS (Broken Vow) was so impressive in his Pasadena S. romp that we're tabbing the sophomore to upset this group for conditioner Michael Pender. The well-bred colt began his career with a 3 1/2-length trouncing of maiden foes while sprinting on the lawn and was shelved until February, when the colt returned to finish a useful fourth in a downhill turf sprint. When stretching out to two turns in his second start of the season last out, the Florida-bred bay led at every call, never leaving any doubt in recording a four-length Pasadena romp. His running style suggests that he can handle the added furlong in this 1 1/8-mile affair, and we are confident that he will transfer his turf ability to the synthetic main track. We expect Victor Espinoza to use BOB BLACK JACK (Stormy Jack) as a target to the stretch drive. YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman) ran off three consecutive sharp wins to begin his career prior to a third-place effort in the Louisiana Derby (G2) last out for Paddy Gallagher, but it was the last effort that impressed us most about the three-year-old. Proven over turf and synthetic surfaces entering his race at Fair Grounds, the colt proved that he can kick on any surface when moving from last to third quickly in the stretch, and a straight path would have probably yielded him second in that one. The dark bay needs top two money to ensure himself a place in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and we envision that he'll get it under Alex Solis. EL GATO MALO (El Corredor) loves synthetic racing for trainer Craig Dollase and should be primed for a big showing in his second start off a short layoff. The San Rafael S. (G3) romper captured his first three starts by a combined 16 lengths before closing fast for a second-place prize in the nine-furlong Sham S. (G3) last out, his first try beyond one mile. The gelding is proven over this oval, earning a superb 117 BRIS Late Pace number at this distance, and smoked a bullet five-eighths in preparation for this one. The dark bay offers a lot to like. David Flores will be in the irons. Sham victor COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) showed good tactical speed in getting the jump on the aforementioned last out and could improve off that for conditioner Eoin Harty. The talented bay was a good second in the CashCall Futurity (G1) in his freshman finale and picked up right where he left off in the Sham, so he's an obvious contender under Corey Nakatani. We fear that the sophomore will be overbet in here and others may have a better turn of foot, so it appears to be a good time to go elsewhere. The Kentucky-bred is an obvious gimmicks play and should be included in everything. COAST GUARD (Stormy Atlantic) intrigues us some but we fear that the expected swift early tempo could lead to his undoing in here. A good second in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) earlier this year, the dark bay colt looked miserable when trying to handle the dirt at Bay Meadows in the El Camino Real Derby (G3) last time. The David Hofmans pupil could notch a top four placing with a good trip and his best beneath Joe Talamo. Bob Black Jack undeniably has talent, but we have no faith in him enduring nine furlongs. The expected early leader could hang around for a while if he establishes a soft tempo, but anything more than third would surprise us. ON THE VIRG (Pulpit) has won two straight in fine fashion for Todd Pletcher but needs a big step up to compete in the latter stages here. If this one sits off a torrid early pace, he could get a piece with improvement. SIGNATURE MOVE (Vindication) flopped in his dirt debut when finishing well back in the Risen Star S. (G3) last out for Eric Guillot, but the colt has displayed good ability on this oval in the past. A $625,000 yearling purchase, the dark bay has yet to post a BRIS Speed figure higher than 86 in his career and would need marked improvement to get a piece of this pie. SHORE DO (Include) ran his best race when third in the Norfolk S. (G1) over this surface in October, but a trio of unplaced efforts and yet another trainer switch do little to motivate us to wager on him. MEETINGWITHDESTINY (Belong to Me) won in his last when running as a gelding for the first time but would need vast improvement to factor with this solid group. Not only is ROSSO CORSA (Ferrari [Ger]) overmatched, but he drew the widest post as well. The California-bred looks impossible to back.
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