Baldwin

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $100,000 Baldwin S. (G3) looks like a tricky scramble on the about

6 1/2-furlong downhill turf course at Santa Anita. Only five sophomores are

lining up, and four of them figure to flash speed. We can't resist siding with

the lone closer, VAUNT (GB) (Averti), who has had this race on his agenda for

some time and offers value as the 7-2 third choice on the morning line.

A confirmed sprinter during his juvenile season in England, the bay gelding

commanded a bid of nearly $197,000 at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training

Sale and joined Dan Hendricks in California. In his American debut, Vaunt tried

a mile and wound up a decent fourth in the second division of the Generous S.

(G3), beaten a total of 3 3/4 lengths by the highly regarded Whatsthescript

(Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]). He then was pitched onto the wet-fast main track in

the seven-furlong San Vicente S. (G2) for his three-year-old bow and again

performed honorably when fourth. At last in the Baldwin, Vaunt cuts back to pure

sprinting on the turf, and we look for him to sail past the pressured

pacesetters in the stretch with Aaron Gryder.

DESERT CODE (E Dubai) was visually impressive when taking an allowance prep

over this course and distance last time out. His cause was aided by dueling for

the lead through soft fractions, however, and he probably won't enjoy a similar

set-up here. The David Hofmans pupil has tackled tough company before, finishing

fourth to the undefeated E Z Warrior (Exploit) in the San Miguel S. on the main

track right after his maiden win, and surely profited from that trial by fire.

Desert Code is well qualified to take his second straight at this venue, but we

don't think he quite merits 7-5 on the morning line. Richard Migliore will be

back aboard.

SPANISH INFLUENCE (Petionville), who is exiting a dismal performance in the

San Vicente, could right the ship now that he's back on the grass. The Marcelo

Polanco trainee threw in the towel last time out after pressing the pace and

being brushed by an advancing rival, dropping out of it to finish a distant last. Prior to that debacle, he had broken his maiden in style on the downhill

course. On that occasion, he posted quick splits and drew off by 2 3/4 lengths,

earning a field-topping 93 BRIS Speed rating on the turf. Spanish Influence

signaled his sharpness with a three-furlong move in :35 2/5 on Wednesday and

could go a long way beneath Jon Court.

The Richard Mandella-trained NEWSWORTHY (Mr. Greeley) took five tries to

break his maiden and was summarily dismissed by Desert Code last time out.

BITTER BILL (Cobra King) has been a good servant for his connections (never off

the board in eight starts), but the thoroughly admirable gelding is facing

tougher opponents in this spot. The Jeff Mullins charge also figures to be

involved in the melee from the start.