Las Flores

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A short field of six will meet in Saturday's $100,000 Las Flores H. (G3) and

BEHAVING BADLY (Pioneering) lays over her rivals. She faced better competition

when rolling to an impressive 4 1/2-length score in the Santa Monica H. (G1)

last out, settling the matter from the break with her dynamic speed. The

five-year-old mare cruised through fractions of :22 and :44 before effortlessly

stepping clear, and she earned another tremendous 105 BRIS Speed rating after

receiving a 112 number two starts back. A winner in five of her seven career

starts, this spot looks like easy pickings for the Bob Baffert trainee.

VACA CITY FLYER (Michael's Flyer) ships in from Northern California off a

couple of nice wins and her form's improved since being transferred to Art

Sherman two starts back. The California-bred owns a commendable 14-9-1-2 mark at

the six-furlong distance and should sit a good stalking trip with her tactical speed. She can

grab runner-up honors.

AWESOME LADY (Bianconi) enters for Gary Stute, who is winning at a 23 percent

clip, and owns the credentials to challenge for part. Three for six locally, the

five-year-old didn't fire in the Santa Monica last time but should

appreciate the cut back to six furlongs. The other speed could get weary chasing

Behaving Badly, enabling Awesome Lady to run past her rivals for second.

MAZELLA (Mazel Trick) returns off a 295-day hiatus and has run well at Santa

Anita previously. Her stakes experience is an asset here, and the five-year-old

finished third in this event 12 months back. She's obviously a threat for

runner-up honors with her Speed ratings and would complete a very chalky exacta.

SPIRIT TO SPARE (Pole Position) captured a $50,000 claiming event two starts

back and is winless from three attempts at six furlongs. GALACTIC CAT (Forest

Wildcat) makes her seasonal debut out west after being claimed for $50,000 at

Churchill Downs last out. We'll give her a start in California.