Citation J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

Friday's $400,000 Citation H. (G1) is the first of three Grade 1 events in

Hollywood Park's Turf Festival, and the 1 1/16-mile event has attracted a strong

field of 10, including Del Mar Mile H. (G2) winner and Breeders' Cup Mile (G1)

third-placer WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]). We respect the chances

of the likely favorite, but we'll pursue a little value with REBELLION (GB)

(Mozart [Ire]) as our top choice.

Trained by Graham Motion, Rebellion opened his 2008 campaign with a pair of

graded wins on synthetic tracks, capturing the Commonwealth S. (G2) at Keeneland

and the Ack Ack H. (G3) at Hollywood, and made two more starts on the synthetic before

switching back to the turf in the about 6 1/2-furlong Morvich H. (G3). The

distance was too short for him, but the five-year-old still a gave fine account

of himself with a fast-finishing fourth and parlayed that effort into an

excellent second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, overcoming a poor break to mow

down most the field in the stretch run. Rebellion is in top form presently for

his connections, and the bay horse owns plenty of back turf form. He'll be

reunited with Rafael Bejarano and owns a fine shot at the minor upset.

Whatsthescript merits serious respect in his Hollywood return. Two for two

over the course, the four-year-old recorded an outstanding score in the American

H. (G2) this summer and has turned in top-class performances in his three

outings since, registering strong BRIS Speed and Late Pace ratings in the

process. Garrett Gomez will retain the mount, but Whatsthescript must avoid

leaving himself too much to do at 8 1/2 furlongs.

HYPERBARIC (Sky Classic) has been freshened for this event by Julio Canani

and can't be dismissed from win consideration. Following a game victory in the

Oak Tree Mile S. (G2) last out, his connections wisely elected to skip the

Breeders' Cup Mile, and the decision could pay dividends on Friday. The bay will

bring a three-race winning skein into this event and ran well over the course

earlier this season when recording third-place finishes in the Shoemaker Mile

(G1) and American H. Another top three placing could be in the cards here, and we wouldn't argue with including the talented gelding in any

multi-race wagers.

FERNELEY (Ire) (Ishiguru) failed to hit the board when making his first two

U.S. starts against graded rivals, but he rebounded with an encouraging score

over allowance/optional claiming foes last time and is eligible to show more

while returning to stakes company. The four-year-old still has some class

concerns, but he merits respect for the bottom of the exotics at long odds.

LORD ADMIRAL (El Prado [Ire]) owns solid European class and finished a

troubled fourth when returning to the United States for the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) two

starts back. He was no factor when eighth last time in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile,

but the Charles O'Brien runner may run better in this spot. He's another classy

performer to consider for a small share.

FORMAL DECREE (Ger) (Diktat) is eligible to outperform our expectations, but

the Godolphin runner drew the far outside for his California debut. He'll bring

good form into the race, rolling to a three-length score in the Knickerbocker H.

(G3) last time on the front end, but the five-year-old gelding will be tackling

much better in this spot. We'll go against from post 10.

PROUDINSKY (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]) has recorded a couple of solid efforts this

season for Bobby Frankel, but we feel he could be a little overmatched in this

salty spot. MEDICI CODE (GB) (Medicean) probably needed his last start, a third

versus allowance rivals, off the lengthy layoff, but we're not willing to

endorse him against this stout company.  BECRUX (Ity) (Glen Jordan) exits a

nice allowance win on the Pro-Ride, but we don't like his chances in this spot. GALANTAS (Tale of the Cat) has raced sparingly over the

last 14 months, recording

only a runner-up finish in the Robert F. Carey Memorial (G3) in September, and we can't

endorse his chances in this difficult spot.