American J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES 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MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) could be withdrawn in favor of Sunday's Triple Bend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.