John B. Connally Turf J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A full field of 14 has been entered in Saturday night's $200,000 John B. Connally Turf H. (G3) at Sam Houston, and ORIENTATE EXPRESS (Orientate) is our

pick to take the 1 1/8-mile turf test. The Kelly Von Hemel charge posted a neck

victory in the Remington Green S. in his last turf try, and owns a 3-2-0 record

from six total tries on the grass. The bay gelding garnered a nice 108 BRIS Late

Pace rating for his stakes score and logged a bullet five furlongs at Oaklawn

Park last Friday to prepare for this. He could make it two in a row under Glen

Murphy.

BALTIMORE BOB (Malibu Moon) recorded his last win against allowance/optional

claiming rivals at Laurel Park in October, and rounded out 2009 with a rallying

fourth in the Buddy Diliberto Memorial H. at Fair Grounds. It wouldn't take much

improvement for the Helen Pitts trainee to return to the winner's circle here.

The dark bay five-year-old earned a 94 BRIS Speed rating for his stakes effort

as well as a 103 Late Pace figure, and could get the job done with the extra

distance of this one. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call.

POOL PLAY (Silver Deputy) is a tough competitor on main tracks, but has

finished fourth and second in his only two tries on turf. The Mark Casse runner

has loads of ability and could manage to upend these rivals based on class

alone. Patrick Husbands travels from Canada to stay aboard the five-year-old.

GRETSKY (Toccet) ran third in the La Jolla H. (G2) and was only 2 1/2 lengths

back in sixth in the Del Mar Derby (G2) last season. He ended his sophomore

campaign, and his time in the barn of Neil Drysdale, with a close fifth in the

Contested Bid S. to recent San Marcos S. (G2) third Riviera Cocktail (Giant's

Causeway). Now starting for trainer George Northrop Jr., the bay gelding could

carry his form over into this year and should be included in the top three.

Larry Taylor will be in the irons.

MY HAPPINESS (Arg) (Festin [Arg]) didn't fare too well in his last stakes

attempt, but the nine-year-old has the talent to challenge at a nice price. Third in an allowance/optional claimer last out, the dark bay always

seems to put in a good rally for trainer Bobby Barnett. Bobby Walker Jr. will

take the mount. FIFTEEN LOVE (Point Given) will be making his first start under

the tutelage of Jerenesto Torrez in this spot following a fourth in the Play the

King S. (Can-G2) and a runner-up effort in an allowance/optional claimer. The

five-year-old is still seeking his first U.S. win and, while he probably won't

get it here, could threaten in the exotics. The dark bay has been working

bullets over the track and will get Eguard Tejera in the saddle.

KING DAN (Include) was a head winner against turf rivals in his last grass

try in November, and the early runner will likely be close or setting the pace

in this one. He could carry his speed a long way, so consider for the gimmicks

under James Graham. GRAN ESTRENO (Arg) (Lucky Robert) captured the Washington

Park H. (G3) on Arlington's Polytrack last year following a win in the grassy

Claiming Crown Emerald. The Michael Stidham trainee appears to be a consistent

runner and should at least earn part against these. Shane Sellers has the

pilot's seat.

GOING BALLISTIC's (Lite the Fuse) last few tries on turf haven't been all

that inspiring, and he's not really impressed much on the main track

recently either. The gray six-year-old may not be up to this task. ERNESTO (Royal

Academy) doesn't appear fast enough to challenge. ABLAZE WITH SPIRIT (American

Spirit) brings the powerful Steve Asmussen influence into this race, but even

that might not be enough to secure the win. RED ROCK CREEK (Numerous) looks out

of his class against these.

ACTING ZIPPY (City Zip) has been more than holding his own against stakes

rivals on the main track, but hasn't done so well in his six turf tries. This is

his race to lose if he manages to transfer his main track form to the grass, but

we don't really see that happening. REAL APPEAL (Successful Appeal) has been

running in claimers and probably won't make an impact here.