Morvich

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Wednesday's $100,000 Morvich H. (G3) is the opening-day feature of the Oak

Tree at Santa Anita meet, and 12 horses are set to spring about 6 1/2 furlongs

down the hill in the automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. GET

FUNKY (Straight Man) is the defending champ and exits an excellent one-length

victory in the Green Flash H. over Idiot Proof (Benchmark) at Del Mar, but we'll

try to beat the likely favorite with REBELLION (GB) (Mozart [Ire]).

Trained by Graham Motion, Rebellion exits an excellent second in the Pat O'Brien H. (G2) in which he rallied past seven rivals in the stretch. He

registered a 116 BRIS Late Pace number for his fast finish, and the

five-year-old owns plenty of experience sprinting on the turf, winning his last

two attempts. The bay horse owns a couple of graded stakes victories this year

and drew the rail post, which has been a good starting spot in downhill turf

events. We'll look for Rebellion to come running late under Rafael Bejarano for

the win.

Get Funky missed by less than a length in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) last season and has kept top company most of this season. He's two-for-four over

the turf at Santa Anita and two-for-two sprinting. He figures to settle just off

the pace before coming with his run under Jose Valdivia Jr.

TEN MEROPA (Johannesburg) captured the Baldwin S. (G3) over the course when

making his U.S. debut but has run only once since that start in early March,

finishing sixth in stakes at Hollywood over the Cushion Track in late June. The

Jeff Mullins runner has been training well in preparation, and we know he runs

well fresh. We won't be surprised to see further improvement from him, and the

sophomore colt is an intriguing exotics contender at a price.

TROPIC STORM (Stormy Atlantic) should enjoy a perfect trip with his tactical

speed and could definitely challenge for part under Aaron Gryder. Runner-up in

his only attempt over the course and distance, the Craig Dollase-trained gelding

has performed admirably all season, recording an 8-2-2-3 mark in 2008, with top three placings in his last three starts, all versus graded rivals. He figures to

be in position to challenge for it all at the top of the stretch.

DESERT CODE (E Dubai) is another logical top-three contender. A two-time

stakes winner down the hill, the four-year-old colt will receive a rider switch

to Garrett Gomez and figures to show speed from his far outside post. The David

Hofmans charge owns a superb 5-3-1-0 mark over Santa Anita's turf and is three-for-four at the distance. He could be in the mix once again.

ONE UNION (Dixie Union) owns plenty of experience at this level and could

offer a decent showing here for Richard Mandella. The five-year-old has never

run on the turf at Santa Anita, though, and he's won only once over the last two

years. We'll let him beat us. MATTO MONDO (Chi) (Sir Cat) could be any kind for

Mandella. A multiple Group 1 winner in Chile, most of his success has come at

distances longer than 6 1/2 furlongs, and South American imports sometimes need

a race or two to acclimate to the new conditions North of the Equator. We'll

just watch to see how he performs in his stateside bow.

SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) is a hard-hitting sprinter who returns to the

races off a 235-day layoff for Art Sherman. While more proven on the main track,

he's displayed some prowess on the turf and would merit serious respect here

with his best effort. However, we're inclined the give the seven-year-old

gelding a race back off the lengthy freshening. CALIFORNIA FLAG (Avenue of

Flags) will ensure a legitimate pace and will enter this race in solid form

after winning his last start at Del Mar. While we wouldn't be shocked to see him

hold for a minor award, California Flag appears more likely to give up the goat.

SOUL CITY SLEW (Slew City Slew) doesn't bring the strongest form into this

race and didn't run well in his last attempt sprinting down the hill. We can't

recommend his chances. FIVE STAR THIEF (Cat Thief) exits a decent fourth versus

stakes rivals at Del Mar and is trained by the ever-dangerous Mike Mitchell, but

the gelding doesn't look good enough to challenge. EASY ON THE EYE (Aus) (Easy

Rocking) takes a jump in class off a couple of even efforts versus

allowance/optional claiming rivals. He may need an easier spot to challenge.