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AMERICAN GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
The San Antonio H. (G2) looks like a good race, but we're not certain when it will be held. With a faulty all-weather track that won't drain, Santa Anita was forced to cancel Saturday's program, and the forecast isn't promising for Sunday. We'll still handicap it and wish for the best in Arcadia, California. We'll tab NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) in his second start off a layoff. Trained by Patrick Biancone, the five-year-old horse captured last year's San Fernando (G2) under similar conditions, earning a 99 BRIS Speed rating for the 2 3/4-length decision, and he exits a solid tune-up for this event in the January 9 San Pasqual H. (G2), rallying into serious contention in upper stretch before settling for third-place honors, only 1 3/4 lengths back of the winner. The bay horse owns a good finishing kick, registering BRIS Late Pace ratings of 118 and 111 in two of his last three starts, and he shows a six-furlong bullet work in preparation. He appears ready for a top showing and should offer a little value from post 10 with Joseph Talamo. MAST TRACK (Mizzen Mast) is a wire-to-wire threat. He schooled a short group of rivals in the Native Diver H. (G3) at this nine-furlong distance last time, winning by 1 1/2 lengths, and he appears to be training forwardly in preparation for new trainer John Shirreffs. A Grade 1 winner, Mast Track has shown the ability to string together strong performances in the past, and the six-year-old looks in-form presently. We'll back with him in multi-race wagers. RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) is a win contender based upon class alone, but the late runner is better at longer distances. He hasn't started since a sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and trainer Bob Baffert is using this race strictly as a prep for the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), so we don't expect to see the five-year-old fully cranked up for his best. The Pacific Classic (G1) hero looks a little vulnerable to us here at expected short odds, but we won't be surprised to see him mow down his rivals in the stretch. FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) didn't enjoy the best trip when faltering as the 3-5 favorite in the San Pasqual last time, and we give him a chance to bounce back with a much better performance. Winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) two back over Pro-Ride, the five-year-old gelding captured the Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) three back at 1 1/8 miles, so we know he can handle the distance, and his recent BRIS Speed ratings (103 for the both the Breeders' Cup and Kentucky Cup) are certainly strong enough to get it done here. We don't like the far outside post, however, and question whether the Mike Maker trainee is at the top of his game presently. We'll let him beat us for the win, but will include him in some gimmicks. DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata) usually delivers an honest effort and managed to place in three graded events last season. His recent BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers are solid, so consider the stalker for the bottom of the exotics. PHILATELIST (Rahy) will make his U.S. debut for Humberto Ascanio, and the six-year-old is a five-time winner on synthetic tracks in Europe. Whether he's up to this level of competition remains to be seen, but we can't help but remember Gitano Hernando (GB) (Hernando [Fr]), a European synthetic specialist who looked overmatched from a class standpoint before posting a big upset in the Goodwood (G1) last October. We won't endorse Philatelist's chances, but he scares us a little. GIGANTICUS (Giant's Causeway) shows a sharp three-furlong bullet work in preparation for this start, but the distance doesn't look like a good fit for the European shipper. MARSH SIDE (Gone West) would rate more serious consideration if this race was on turf. The seven-year-old horse hasn't started on a synthetic track since a fourth in the 2008 Cougar II H., and he must rebound here from a non-competitive 17th-place effort in the November 29 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1). SLEW'S TIZNOW (Tiznow) hasn't started since March and is unplaced in two previous attempts at nine furlongs. We'll give him a race. QUASICOBRA (Wild Rush) exits a couple of dull efforts versus allowance/optional claiming rivals and looks overmatched in this spot for Biancone. PICK SIX (Dynaformer) will make his synthetic debut with only one win in his last 12 starts, all on turf. He would be a surprise.
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