Morvich J

Recent Woodbine Mile S. (Can-G1) runner-up REBEL REBEL (Ire) (Revoque)

headlines a solid group of 11 to post in the $100,000 Morvich H. (G3) down the

Hillside Turf Course at Santa Anita on Sunday. The in-form four-year-old ships

in for sharp trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. and will likely take plenty of action at

the windows, but we'll look elsewhere for our winner.

BUCKLAND MANOR (Bien Bien) has been graded stakes-placed on six occasions and

might have found the perfect spot to break through for trainer Juan Paco

Gonzalez. The six-year-old is not in career form in 2006, showing just a pair of

seconds from five outings, but has the look of a horse who may appreciate the

cut-back to about 6 1/2 furlongs. The chestnut loves the Santa Anita venue,

sporting a 12-4-3-2 record at the Arcadia, California, track, and lands in a field without much

early speed. Jose Valdivia Jr. pilots our top selection, who should be in the

mix from the outset.

JUNGLE PRINCE (Sir Cat) exits an even third in the Ancient Title Breeders'

Cup S. (G1) and could be quite dangerous on the front end for Juan Garcia. The

consistent stakes performer was a hard-charging third in this event last year

and may be ready for a huge effort in his third start off the layoff. With a

field void of early foot, this gelding looks to be the early pacesetter and he

could be difficult to run down with his best.

Rebel Rebel has been quite consistent as of late and merits respect on

current form alone. The bay has a late kick that could match up with most of

these, and the drop in distance could enhance his late charge even more. The

colt will be guided by Alex Solis and has posted five maintenance works in

preparation for this, two positives that should only help his chances. His

best is likely enough to win this, but we'd prefer his use on the bottom of

exotics at a smallish price.

OSIDY (Storm Cat) was a stakes winner at this trip in his latest effort and

warrants a look right back for Richard Mandella. The once heavily hyped colt

seems to have found a home sprinting on the sod if his last pair are any

indication, and we were impressed by his heart when he was confronted late in

his last. We're not sure if the four-year-old could cross the line first, but we

consider him a must-use in the exotics.

CAPTAIN KURT (NZ) (Volksraad) registered a big effort in his U.S. debut

before faltering in the Woodbine Mile, but should appreciate the drop in class

and distance in here. The gelded four-year-old has been off the board in just

one of his 12 lifetime starts and is classic-placed in his native New Zealand,

where he did quite well sprinting. Conditioned by Melody Conlon, the outside

draw should be advantageous to the bay, as should the presence of Corey Nakatani.

TERROPLANE (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]) is always running late and could be heard

from late if the speed backs up into him. The gray five-year-old is unraced

since April and has never contested a race down the hill, leading us to believe

that this is just a stepping stone to a bigger spot later down the line.

Nonetheless, trainer Neil Drysdale knows where to spot his horses and does well

with runners coming off the layoff, so we'll give this one a top three chance

under Pat Valenzuela.

RAILROAD (Double Honor) has faced stakes foes in six of his last seven

outings but faces his toughest group to date in here. Trained by the high

percentage Brian Koriner, the bay is ultra-consistent and is surely one to

include in the lower rungs of the gimmicks. Aaron Gryder will have the riding

assignment. Trainer Clifford Sise Jr. picked a tough spot for HOUSEOFROYALHEARTS

(Chester House) to return following a 16-month absence, but we respect the

connections and will not immediately toss him.

APALACHEE TIGER (Tiger Ridge) has never finished worse than third on the lawn

in his career but steps up in class for John Sadler. The swift chestnut will

likely be going for it early but seems a touch overmatched in this spot. A pace

presence at the least, possibly a superfecta filler. MARGARITALOSFLORES (Artax)

enjoys this surface, evidenced by his 7-2-2-1 mark over this course, but looks

to be in deep here. MOTH BALL (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) rarely wins, has never

fared well over this oval and appears to be in questionable form. No thanks.