Miesque

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday's $100,000 Miesque S. (G3) at Hollywood Park attracted a field of

seven juvenile fillies, and on paper the race should set up for a closer as

there's a lot of speed here. Though she led gate-to-wire in breaking her maiden

over this course and trip last time, NEVERSAIDIWASSWEET (Eurosilver) does not

appear to be a need-the-lead type and we'll back her to make it two in a row.

A narrowly beaten second in her Ellis Park debut when rallying off the pace,

she threw in a clunker at that Kentucky course next time out before arriving in

California. Under the tutelage of Kristin Mulhall, Neversaidiwassweet made all

the running in an October 14 maiden to win by 1 1/4 lengths, beating next-out

maiden breaker Family Plan (Repriced) in the process. With so much other speed

breaking outside her, we envision Rafael Bejarano keeping her on the rail,

saving ground and hoping they come back to her. This marks her debut for new

trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Euro invader WAVE OF APPLAUSE (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) won at first asking

May 9 at Leopardstown in Ireland. Far up the track in the Albany S. (Eng-G3) at

Royal Ascot next out, she has since been acquired by trainer Jim Cassidy, who

often does well with imports. Though absent from the races for five months, we

don't think she has to be a superstar to beat most of her rivals. Pedigree

enthusiasts will note she traces back to Obeah (Cyane), the dam of Hall of Famer

Go for Wand (Deputy Minister).

CALIFORNIA NECTAR (Storm Atlantic), who has raced exclusively against

California-bred company to this point, fits on form. She exits a nose loss in

the California Cup Juvenile Fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track, and

given who her sire is we can see her transferring that form to grass. The speedy

miss might  be at a pace disadvantage, however, and might find it difficult

to last for a major piece if under pressure from the start.

CLONEYLASS (Ire) (Verglas [Ire]) was a modest third in the Jessamine S. at

Keeneland in her U.S. debut and will need to elevate her game a bit to take

this. She's obviously one who would benefit from a swifter pace than what she

encountered in Kentucky. On an encouraging note, Jessamine runner-up Lauren

Byrd (Arch) has since won a Churchill allowance impressively by 4 3/4 lengths.

HOLIDAY FOR KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) is another front-running type who enters

off a neck maiden victory under the Twin Spires. She could be up against it if she

tangles early with KATY'S KITTY (Osidy) and LUCKY TRIPPI (Trippi), two

speedballs who look overmatched based on their time spent in the maiden claiming

ranks.