Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

RED GIANT (Giant's Causeway) is the marquee attraction in the $250,000

Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday,

and the talented Todd Pletcher pupil looks too good for us to try to beat in

here. The four-year-old chestnut made his seasonal debut in the Fourstardave H.

(G2) at Saratoga over yielding turf last month, at a trip less than his optimal,

and he still came out on top with a strong late rally. The superb turf performer

has never been worse than second in eight lifetime efforts on the green, and he

should be unstoppable against this questionable cast. John Velazquez will guide

the budding star.

SPRING HOUSE (Chester House) looks to be the main threat to the

aforementioned, coming off a facile win in the Del Mar H. (G2) in his most

recent venture. The Julio Canani trainee has been among the top turf performers

on the West Coast for a few years and is perfect in two outings over this lawn.

The six-year-old will break from the widest post.

Dual Grade 2 hero OUT OF CONTROL (Brz) (Vettori) was among the top turf

performers in California in 2007, but the talented bay has endured a winless

campaign in 2008, and his entry in the Woodward S. (G1), where he was last by 40

lengths on the main oval, couldn't have done well for his state of mind.

Nonetheless, on sheer ability, the Bobby Frankel charge is one of the top three

in here and should challenge for a placing.

FERNELEY (Ire) (Ishiguru) put in a fine effort when only three lengths back

in the Eddie Read H. (G1) for trainer Ben Cecil, and the four-year-old is

eligible to improve some in his second U.S. outing. The import is well drawn on

the rail and should secure a ground-saving trip to the stretch; if he's good

enough he could get a small piece. TRANSDUCTION GOLD (Formal Gold) was no match for Spring House last out and

sports just four lifetime wins from 22 tries, so the gelding would be best used

on the bottom of the exotics.

YOU GOT ME ROCKING (Aljabr) made the pace before retreating to third in the

Del Mar H., and the newest Mike Mitchell project seems to be well below his

others. BONJOUR (NZ) (Frenchpark [GB]) has been at least 37-1 in all three

starts in the United States versus lesser, and has failed to finish in the top three.