Dahlia J

An interesting group of 12 turf distaffers will travel 1 1/16 miles to

contest the $150,000 Dahlia H. (G2) at Hollywood Park on Monday, the track's

closing day. GRANDE MELODY (Ire) (Grand Lodge) was so

impressive in an allowance race two prior at Keeneland that anything resembling

that effort could put the Patrick Biancone charge in the winners circle. The

three-year-old miss was a useful third in the Audrey Skirball-Kenis S. in her

local prep for this one when trailing early behind a dawdling pace, and the dark

bay should be much tighter for this one. Although the filly lacks the credentials

of some of these, she'll be allowed a weight break on many of her top

competitors and should be moving best late under Julien Leparoux.

Grade 2 heroine NAISSANCE ROYALE (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) was a game third in

the recent E. P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) and should be around late with anything

resembling her best. The four-year-old hails from the white-hot Christophe

Clement barn and rarely runs a bad one, making her a threat virtually every time

she steps onto the green. Money rider Garret Gomez, who rode her in Canada last

out, retains the assignment.

BERBATIM (Bernstein) holds a tactical edge over the field and could be good

enough to hold on for a share in here. The Richard Mandella charge has faced

some of the better competition on the West Coast as of late and has done well

while holding her own. The likely pacesetter should be in the thick of it late

under Aaron Gryder, if allowed to dictate a sensible trip.

The New York-bred FINLANDIA (Royal Anthem) is also equipped with an abundance

of natural early foot, and is sent out from the dangerous Tom Bush barn. We're

not certain how the East Coast invader will handle the ship and warmer climate,

but she's never been in better form and would not surprise with a top-three

placing with a prime showing. The presence of Kent Desormeaux enhances the

filly's chances.

CHARM THE GIANT (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) makes her graded debut in here for

Ron McAnally. The consistent sort has been freshened for this one and has

trained well in the interim, leading us to believe that she may be sitting on a

big one. We're not sure if her best is good enough, but we suggest using the

lass in your vertical exotic wagers. Tyler Baze has riding duties.

The stakes winning SINGALONG (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) is perfect from two

starts over this oval and could grab a small piece of the pie with improvement.

The four-year-old bay, trained by Paddy Gallagher, found the fields in her last

pair a bit too difficult but may find the sledding a bit easier in here. Victor

Espinoza will ride. MOVIE STAR (Brz) (Royal Academy) and DREAM'S (Chi) (Sam M.) resemble each other, so they're hard to

separate. We wouldn't be totally shocked if either gets a call late, but we

can't endorse them in this event.

MEMORETTE (Memo [Chi]) enjoyed her best success of 2006 over this course,

capturing the Beverly Hills H. (G2) back in June. A trio of

unplaced events versus stakes fields followed that for Bill Currin trainee, and

we'll just watch this one until the filly's top form returns. STRONG FAITH

(Pioneering) has been a bit player since switching to the Darrell Vienna barn,

and appears to be in a tough spot here.

CROSS (Mighty) has sprinted on the green in her two starts

following a layoff and will need a career best to be in the mix late for Doug

O'Neill. CONVEYOR'S ANGEL (Conveyor) comes off a sharp win over this lawn most

recently but has never challenged this type in recent efforts.