Inglewood

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of eight will line up in the $100,000 Inglewood H. (G3) at Hollywood

Park on Sunday, and we're tabbing MADEO (Mizzen Mast) to take the 1 1/16-mile

turf test. Trained by John Shirreffs, the bay four-year-old captured a turf

allowance at Santa Anita two back and was third by just a length in the Arcadia

H. (G2) last out while going the same distance. The extra sixteenth of a mile

here could be just what he needs to find the winner's circle once more with Mike

Smith retaking the mount.

STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein) hasn't won since taking the Thunder Road H.

last year, but has been close in all but two of his starts since. Included in

those tough losses was a nose second in the Dallas Turf Cup H. (G3) and a third

in the Eddie Read H. (G1). This field will offer some much needed class relief,

and Storm Military may finally be able to get the job done here with Brice Blanc

taking the reins.

AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) will be making his first start since running 12th

in the Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) on December 14. The Craig Dollase charge was

second in the All American S. (G3) and a rallying sixth in the Breeders' Cup

Mile (G1) prior to that one, and is another who could enjoy the drop in class.

Tyler Baze might guide the six-year-old all the way to winner's circle.

U S RANGER (Danzig) was a tough rival overseas, placing in the July Cup S.

(Eng-G1) and Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1) last season, but hasn't been able to

duplicate that form here. The gray gelding could still grab part, though, with

the addition of blinkers and the stretch out in distance. Aaron Gryder retains

the mount.

BECRUX (Ity) (Glen Jordan) was third in the Citation H. (G1) over this course

and distance last season, and most recently rallied for seventh, just 3 1/2

lengths back, in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) last out. The seven-year-old

gelding could find a spot for himself in the exotics. MEDJOOL (Monarchos) was

third in the Tokyo City Cup H. (G3) while making his first start for new trainer

John O'Hara last out, but has never raced on turf before. If he handles the

surface switch, the chestnut could earn a check.

SILENT SOUL (Afternoon Deelites) hasn't done so well against graded rivals

and we don't think he'll turn that form around here. WORLDLY (GB) (Selkirk)

probably needs an easier spot to factor.