Las Palmas

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Grade 1 winner MEA DOMINA (Dance Brightly) returns off a more than five-month

break in Saturday's $150,000 Las Palmas H. (G2) at Santa Anita, and the bay

filly looks poised to continue her winning ways. Trained by Ron McAnally, she

was last seen taking the Gamely Breeders' Cup H. (G1) over Hollywood Park's

green by a half-length. That race took place in late May, but the four-year-old

miss is no stranger to winning off layoffs. She returned off a four-month hiatus

to take the Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. last year before trying her luck in the La

Brea S. (G1) on the main track. Mea Domina was immediately switched back to the

turf when she ran sixth in that dirt event, and proceeded to post two grassy wins at Santa Anita

earlier this year. Though lightly race, she

loves the mile distance of this race (4-3-0-0) and could gear up for a winter

campaign with a win on Saturday. Tyler Baze has the call.

PICKLE (GB) (Piccolo) could finally fulfill expectations with a win on

Saturday. The Sanford Shulman charge showcased her talent early in the season,

taking the Wilshire H. (G3) and Yerba Buena Breeders' Cup H. (G3). Following an

unexpected fifth in the Royal Heroine S. (G3), she recorded two runner-up finishes against stakes

rivals in September.

In her most recent start, the Senator Ken Maddy H. (G3), the dark bay

four-year-old ran near the back before rallying to take fourth. That gives us

some indication that Pickle may be rounding back into her previous form, and she

could offer a nice price under Jon Court.

HALO OLA (Arg) (Southern Halo) is backing up in distance after running

third in the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) last out. The five-year-old bay was just 1

3/4 lengths off the winner in that 10-furlong test and finally returns to the

distance where she won a Group 1 in her native Argentina. Trained by Luis Seglin, Halo Ola hasn't earned exceptional BRIS numbers in her time

stateside, but she is a hard-knocking mare who never seems to give up. Include in

the exotics with Rene Douglas in the irons.

STAR PARADE (Arg) (Parade Marshall) is another Grade 1 winner, enjoying her best

season in 2004 when taking the Santa Maria H. (G1) and Milady

Breeders' Cup H. (G1). She started off her six-year-old campaign right, finishing

just a neck back in second in the Apple Blossom H. (G1), but has really tailed

off since then. The dark bay mare seemed to be regaining some of her old spirit

in the Lady's Secret Breeder's Cup H. (G2) last out, re-rallying for second

after being passed to just miss by a half-length. Star Parade will be tough to

deny if she continues to improve.

ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality) has won three of her past five races,

including the Senator Ken Maddy, and brings some nice numbers into this one. She

garnered a 100 Speed figure for the Maddy and has been working well in preparation

for this one. Consider for the bottom of the gimmicks under Pat Valenzuela.

DREAM'S (Chi) (Sam M.) is undefeated from four U.S. starts, including the Swingtime S. last out, and could make a run for the top three.

BRIGHT ABUNDANCE (Quiet American) captured the Noble Damsel H. (G3) in her last race

and owns century-topping Late Pace ratings from her past three starts. She could

come running late in her California debut but may leave herself too much to do for the win. CHASETHEGOLD

(Touch Gold) was second at 20-1 in the Maddy last out and could improve here in

her second start off a four-month break. Consider for part.

BOND DEAL (Ire) (Pivotal) finished well back in her U.S. debut last out and

doesn't appear capable of challenging here. AUBONNE (Ger) (Monsun) has started

only once this year while running in France. We can't recommend.