Del Mar Oaks

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Even without the presence of American Oaks Invitational (G1) winner Pure Clan

(Pure Prize), Saturday's $350,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) has attracted a talent-laden

field of 10 three-year-old fillies. Logic dictates to us that SATAN'S CIRCUS

(Gone West), who finished less than a length in second behind Pure Clan in the

American Oaks, is the one to beat in her second U.S. start.

A listed stakes winner in her penultimate start in France, Satan's Circus

later finished fifth in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1), seven lengths

behind Zarkava (Zamindar), now considered one of the favorites for the Prix de

l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). Placing third in that race was Goldikova (Anabaa),

who recently defeated her elders in the Prix Rothschild (Fr-G1), so Satan's

Circus was certainly battle-tested against top company prior to her importation

for the American Oaks. Tracking less than three lengths behind the leaders for

the opening mile, Satan's Circus closed the gap in the stretch and wound up

missing by three-quarters of a length at odds of 14-1. The price obviously will

be quite low this time, but a combination of back class and her versatility at

various distances leads us in her direction.

A more recent arrival on our shores is OCEANE MUSIC (Fr) (Ocean of Wisdom),

who is an

undefeated winner of all three starts including a listed event last out at Deauville. Though there were no apparent standouts behind her in any of her

victories, we respect the edge Europeans in general have over American-based

runners on the turf. Her running style suggests she will be up near the pace,

and trying 1 1/8 miles for the first does not bother us as she her broodmare sire

is Le Glorieux (GB), who proved himself over 1 1/4 miles in the

Washington D.C. International (G1) and over 1 1/2 miles in the Japan Cup

(Jpn-G1). Trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith are also a potent combo.

STORM MESA (Sky Mesa) is the hot horse having won her last five, including

the San Clemente H. (G2) last out in her turf debut. She was fairly impressive

coming through in that prep at nearly 8-1, but value is likely to plummet this

time and it would be a surprise if the quick pace she saw in the San Clemente

were replicated here. Indeed, she might find herself much closer to the lead

here, which was rather common prior to her last start.

The speedy MISTY OCEAN (Stormy Atlantic) got caught up in the San Clemente

duel and actually did well to lose by only 1 1/2 lengths. A less pressured tempo

might enable her to last longer, as was the case in her victory in the Honeymoon

H. (G2) two starts ago. MISSIT (Ire) (Orpen) has lacked an effective closing

kick in her three starts since taking the Providencia S. (G2), and might simply

be a cut below the best in her division in California. The same concerns also

apply to BEL AIR SIZZLE (Unusual Heat), a deep closer who conceded too much

ground and position in both the San Clemente and American Oaks. She is, however,

worth a spot in exotics plans in the event she breaks more alertly.

MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]) wasn't beaten by much in either the Honeymoon

or American Oaks, but was not a threat to win either and will have to improve to

pull off the upset. The lightly-raced MILLION DOLLAR RUN (Tejano Run) broke her

maiden in the Railbird S. (G3) in her second career start, and most recently won

her turf debut over first-level allowance/optional claiming company. Both she

and GINGER POP (El Prado [Ire]), runner-up in the Flawlessly S. last time, are

taking a significant step up in class. The ultra-talented LETHAL HEAT (Unusual

Heat) will be making her third start of the meet and is a graded winner

sprinting and routing, but seems best at doing the former over a synthetic

surface.