La Brea E

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Speed, speed, speed. There's plenty of it in Saturday's $250,000 La Brea S.

(G1) and also the forecast of rain at Santa Anita, beginning in the a.m. A

terrific field of 14 soon-to-be four-year-old fillies has been assembled for the

seven-furlong test, and we'll go with who we believe is the speed of the speed,

TRICKLE OF GOLD (Formal Gold).

The current owner of a six-race win streak, Trickle of Gold has raced

exclusively at Laurel and Delaware Park this season, compiling BRIS Speed

ratings as high as 108 in her recent attempts. She can really fly from the

starting gate, earning triple-digit BRIS E1 Pace figures that are better than

her opponents, and has proven herself at a route of ground, easily capturing the

one-mile Anne Arundel S. last out while receiving a 102 Speed number. The dark

bay owns a smart win over an off track earlier this year, so rain may help her

chances on Saturday, but the Michael Gorham trainee will face a class check in

her California bow. We think she's good enough to run away from the opposition.

GREAT INTENTIONS (Cat Thief) brings excellent Speed figures into her

California debut and recorded a sharp three-length score in Belmont Park's First

Flight H. (G2) last out at seven furlongs. By a young sire who is proving to

be very adept with wet track runners so far, Great Intentions owns terrific

tactical speed and the improving Michael Hushion runner will be laying close to

the pace waiting to pounce under Jon Court. We expect a strong showing.

SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band) is two for two over the track, one of those wins

coming over off going in the Las Virgenes S. (G1), but the stalker faces a

difficult task returning from a lengthy layoff at seven furlongs. The

possibility of a suicidal pace duel enhances her chances, and it won't be a

surprise to see a menacing rally from Sharp Lisa in her return.

The late kick and improving form of THRILLING VICTORY (Event of the Year)

spark our interest. The Northern California shipper will be seriously tested

for class, but she's on the improve for the dangerous Jerry Hollendorfer and

should be rolling late. The bay filly could add some value to the bottom of the

exotics.

SIMPLY BECAUSE (Seattle Slew) is very quick but exits a disappointing showing

for trainer David Hofmans. She does own very commendable Speed and Pace numbers

and has been training well for this start, so we can't eliminate her from

consideration for the top three. The Grade 1-winning LEAVE ME ALONE (Bold

Badgett) will need to stalk to be effective here. She figures to appreciate the

return to Santa Anita (3-2-1-0) and could carve out a favorable trip from the

outside under Kent Desormeaux, but the chestnut did struggle over a good track

in her last start. We'll try to beat her at likely short odds.

MISS STORM CAT (Sea of Secrets) looks talented, winning her debut last year

by 10 lengths and her lone appearance in 2005, an entry level allowance, by six

widening lengths. Two for three in her career, the lightly raced dark bay has

earned Speed ratings of 107 and 105 for those appearances, but she's never been

seven furlongs and will be seriously tested for class. We'll look for more down

the road from the Bob Baffert-trained miss if she stays healthy. PUSSYCAT DOLL

(Real Quiet) exits a nice score around two turns at Hollywood but faces a

difficult class hike from her far outside post. We'll watch to see how she fares

at this level.

BERBATIM (Bernstein) made her first three starts on the main track before

switching over to the turf. We respect trainer Richard Mandella and concede that

she does own some potential for the top three from off the pace, but we'll have

to let her beat us. SHINING ENERGY (Rahy) will probably be running late in her

first main-track appearance, but she's tailed off in her last four starts since

winning the San Clemente H. (G2) and looks difficult to recommend here.

MYSTIC CHANT (Unbridled's Song), who is coupled with Great Intentions, can

run early but probably won't be able to sustain her speed. THREE DEGREES (Ire)

(Singspiel [Ire]) looks more comfortable on the grass. SOLDIER'S KISS (One Man

Army) likes the distance but doesn't appear fast enough to challenge. RESIDENT

ALIEN (Bertrando) appears to have major class issues in this spot.