El Conejo J

An overflow field of 13 is entered in Monday's $100,000 El Conejo H. (G3) at

Santa Anita, with only 12 able to make the final cut. JET WEST (Western Fame)

comes into this 5 1/2-furlong affair off three consecutive victories since

being claimed by trainer Ted West. The last two of those wins came over this

same surface. The five-year-old bay earned triple-digit BRIS Speed ratings for

each of those contests and looks to do well here under Kent Desormeaux.

WITH DISTINCTION (Storm Cat) has done no worse than fourth in his last seven

outings, picking up two wins in that span and earning century-topping Speed

figures in six of those. The last one came against allowance company in his

previous race, winning easily over Turfway Park's Polytrack. Trainer D. Wayne

Lukas has this five-year-old ready -- the dark bay drilled four furlongs here on

Christmas Eve in :47 1/5. Victor Espinoza will ride.

STONE RAIN (Grindstone) has good early speed, a trait which could prove

beneficial over a track which has favored speed at the shorter distances. The

John Sadler-conditioned gray has weakened in his last three outings, and the cut

in distance might be favorable to the five-year-old. Stone Rain could be

rejuvenated here after a nine-month layoff. Jon Court has the call.

Although mainly a turf horse, SLEW'S PRINCE (Slew's Royalty) has had mild

success on the main track, compiling a 1-4-2 record from 10 starts on the outer

oval. Although he has not raced for nearly 14 months, he had earned brilliant BRIS E1 and E2 figures

in 2004 and should be kept in

mind for the exotics.

EXCESS SUMMER (In Excess [Ire]) will be making his first start for trainer

Bob Hess, Jr. Entering this race off a 10-month layoff, the six-year-old gelding has been working nicely in the mornings,

turning in a sharp :47 2/5 work on Tuesday. Despite not having been tested for

class lately, Excess Summer could make a decent showing. MOON MISSION (Apollo)

has good late speed which may come in handy if we see a speed duel develop in

the early going. JUNGLE PRINCE (Sir Cat) is another one with a good late kick,

earning a BRIS Late Pace figure of 111 last time out. A repeat performance

could place him in the gimmicks.

MIGHTY BEAU (Rainbow Prospect) is another turf specialist who has had some

success on the dirt, going 3-2-1 in seven starts. However, the seven-year-old

gelding has only been a shell of his former self lately, and we will pass on this

round. FUSAICHI ROCK STAR (Wild Wonder) comes back on short rest off a poor

13th-place effort in last Monday's Malibu S.

(G1), never really a factor. His last victory was over an off track in the San

Vicente S. (G2) at Santa Anita earlier this year, but we will bet against here. GRAY BLACK N

WHITE (Quiet American) is a confirmed front-runner who risks tiring before he

hits the finish line in this company.

SHADOW OF ILLINOIS (Illinois Storm) might fair better returning to the dirt,

but has not had too much success over this track. RED WARRIOR (Benchmark),

coming off an eight-month layoff, had

not been putting up the numbers needed to compete in this one. SCOTTY'S LADD

(Red) is the lone also-eligible. Although he is unbeaten in only two career

starts, both at Santa Anita, he likely needs more race experience to make an

impact in this one.