Daytona

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint upsetter DESERT CODE (E Dubai) will make his first start

since taking that race in Sunday's $100,000 Daytona H. (G3) down the hillside

turf course at Santa Anita. The five-year-old has compiled a smart 7-4-1-0 over

this unique oval and has trained swiftly in advance of his return, but we're not

fond of horses breaking from the rail in these events and we will try to upset

the favorite.

SKY CAPE (Najran) has been an excellent turf performer for Kristin Mulhall

and the four-year-old is our top choice on this occasion. Last seen finishing

sixth in the off-the-turf Sir Beaufort S. (G3), the chestnut endured a useful 2008

campaign with wins in the La Jolla H. (G2), Harry Henson S. and Alcatraz S.,

while placing second in the Baldwin S. (G3) over this course. The Kentucky-bred

has good tactical speed and should have every chance turning for home.

Desert Code looks like a prime and obvious threat in here and would be no

surprise if he were to win this for David Hofmans. The Kentucky-bred has all

the tools and certainly loves this surface, and jockey Aaron Gryder has

experience on him.

GUNS ON THE TABLE (Carson City) has been a consistent performer for Bob

Baffert and finished a commendable fifth in the Malibu S. (G1) two prior. The

chestnut four-year-old had a nice prep for this and appears to be plenty fit --

he's another who could move up, or down, while making his debut on this strip.

Tyler Baze has the call.

Z HUMOR (Distorted Humor) is an intriguing entrant in here as he will debut

for conditioner Mike Mitchell. The bay four-year-old has plenty of back class

and is equipped with strong early speed, so he could conceivably be the one to

catch in here. A five-furlong bullet in advance of this is a sign of good

things, and one never knows how a horse will handle this oval until they try.

The Kentucky-bred is worth a play at odds.

EUROGLIDE (Honor Glide) defeated a nice allowance group last out but is

facing much better on this day for Peter Eurton, who has had an excellent meet

to date. While we like the improving gelding, we can't endorse him for much more

than an exotics piece.

DARK ISLANDER (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) rallied gamely in his U.S. return at

Del Mar in August, finishing a head third in the Wickerr H. for Neil Drysdale.

The bay hasn't been to the races since that good effort, but he grabbed the 2006

Oak Tree Derby (G2) in his lone try at this venue and Drysdale is good with

getting horses ready off the shelf. Rafael Bejarano rides the contender.

MAJESTIC DIAMOND (NZ) (Diamond Express) was a decent second in the Impressive

Luck H. two prior but looks more like an exotics player than a win threat

against this cast. BIG BAD LEROYBROWN (Wild Again) hasn't threatened in his past

three and we don't think he'll do so here.