Hawthorne H.

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

PYRAMID LOVE (Fusaichi Pegasus) is speed from the rail in Sunday's $100,000

Hawthorne H. (G3) at Hollywood Park, and the four-year-old filly rates top billing. She made her

2007 debut last out at Keeneland and wasted valuable energy when entering the

first turn erratically before finally leveling off and opening a big early

advantage. Pyramid Love couldn't withstand the rally of Grade 1 winner Asi

Siempre (El Prado [Ire]), but she still finished up well for second. The Patrick

Biancone-trained miss is eligible to keep improving, and we'll look for her to

lead wire-to-wire under regular rider Julien Leparoux.

CANTABRIA (GB) (Dansili [GB]) exits a nice score sprinting on the turf, and

she was favored when making her U.S. stakes debut in the El Encino S. (G2) two

starts back for Bobby Frankel. She didn't run well that afternoon on the dirt, but Cantabria

appears capable of much better on Cushion Track. The well-regarded filly isn't in the most

difficult spot here, and she can contend for it all.

BALLADO'S THUNDER (Saint Ballado) recorded a sharp 3 1/4-length decision in

the Santa Lucia H. last out and enters on the upswing for Rafael Becerra. She'll

be forwardly placed under Corey Nakatani and must be respected.

RIVER SAVAGE (Brz) (First American) was no factor in the Apple Blossom H.

(G1) last out, but she drops in class here and could challenge for a minor

award.

MAXXI ARTE (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) will try the Cushion Track for James

Cassidy, but we'll just watch to see how the turf filly fares. SEAFREE (Chief

Seattle) has raced only twice in the last 13 months and doesn't look sharp

enough for us to recommend.