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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
Saturday's $150,000 American H. (G2) attracted only six entrants, and MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) could be withdrawn in favor of Sunday's Triple Bend H. (G1) on the Cushion Track. WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) exits a solid fourth in his 2009 debut, the May 25 Shoemaker Mile (G1) in which the multiple Grade 2 winner missed by only a half-length, and we expect to see him move forward here for John Sadler. The five-year-old horse relished the nine-furlong distance when posting a 1 1/4-length score in last year's American, and he's a two-time winner over the course. Whatsthescript owns some tactical speed and probably won't be far back before launching his rally under Joel Rosario. STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein) almost garnered his first Grade 1 victory when third in the Shoemaker Mile last time, and we expect him to be the lone speed in the spot, with Monterey Jazz opting for a Grade 1 bid on Sunday. The Bobby Frankel-trained seven-year-old has always run well over this course, posting a 4-1-2-1 mark in Inglewood, California, and Brice Blanc has been a good fit in his last two efforts. The dark bay could prove difficult to run down on soft fractions. ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) is as classy as they come for Richard Mandella, but we like the eight-year-old over a bit more ground. He's dropped three straight starts since capturing the 10-furlong San Marcos S. (G2) in January, but his BRIS numbers have been excellent in those efforts. We'll look for another top three placing from him. We'll try to beat Monterey Jazz if he starts here. The Craig Dollase pupil appears to prefer a flat mile, and he won't get away with soft, uncontested fractions like he did last time when recording a sharp allowance score over the course. The Grade 2 winner is dangerous on his best day, so we can't completely dismiss his chances if he runs. GIANT GEM (Giant's Causeway) will make his stakes debut off of a pair of victories over Hollywood's turf, but he doesn't own the BRIS numbers or seasoning of out top selections. We still respect the improving four-year-old colt and won't be surprised to see him develop into a fine stakes performer for Neil Drysdale, but we'll take a wait-and-see approach with him. BUENOS DIAS (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) offered a decent rally for runner-up honors when making his U.S. bow versus allowance/optional claiming rivals last time, but we'll give the French stakes winner at least one start against graded competition before recommending his chances.
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