Native Diver

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEW

The $100,000 Native Diver H. (G3) is the lone graded event on Saturday and a

large field of 11 has been assembled for the nine-furlong test. East Coast

shipper DYNEVER (Dynaformer) will be making his first start at Hollywood Park,

but the four-year-old colt has run very well when shipping west before and

receives top billing.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Dynever shipped out for the 2003 Breeders' Cup

Classic (G1) and finished a commendable third, beaten only 2 1/4 lengths with a

fast-closing finish. He came west again this year in April to begin his season

and recorded a strong 4 1/2-length score in the San Bernardino H. (G3), earning

a 107 BRIS Speed rating. The dark bay colt faced top company the rest of this

year and recorded a fine second in the Meadowlands Breeders' Cup (G2) two back. Dynever

runs well fresh and has been training forwardly in the mornings at Payson Park

in preparation for this appearance. There's plenty of speed to set up his

winning rally.

SUPAH BLITZ (Mecke) merits serious respect. Switched to trainer Doug O'Neill

in August, the four-year-old recorded a game victory in the Del Mar Breeders'

Cup H. (G2) in his first Californian appearance and then finished a respectable

third in the Goodwood Breeders' Cup H. (G2). He rolled to a one-length tally in

the Carl G. Rose H. at Calder last out and has earned terrific BRIS Late Pace

numbers all season. We'll look for him to offer another stout rally here.

TIZBUD (Cee's Tizzy) needed his last race off more than an 11-month layoff and

could move forward for trainer John Sadler on Saturday. The lightly raced

five-year-old likes Hollywood (2-1-0-1) and should put his tactical speed to

good use stalking the pace from his inside post. Tizbud could offer a serious

challenge into the stretch, and we'll look for him to round out the trifecta.

TRULY A JUDGE (Judge T C) didn't draw a good post (10), but his form is

improving and the six-year-old gelding relishes the main track in Inglewood

(8-3-2-1). The David Bernstein trainee should show speed to save ground from the

outside into the first turn and could last a long way. We'll use him on the

bottom of some gimmicks. BLACK BART (Stage Colony) goes from turf to dirt and

should show speed from the start. The multiple stakes winner will be tested for

class, but he enters off a sharp sprint win and could sustain his speed longer

than many expect. Consider for the exotics at nice odds.

CONGRATS (A.P. Indy) has been off since August and is now trained by Richard

Mandella, who owns a record seven victories in the Native Diver. The

four-year-old should be in close attendance to the early pace and has turned in

some decent performances this year, but we'll just watch to see how he fares in

his California debut. MUD SHARK (Deputy Commander) comes off a nice effort

against lesser for conditioner Bob Baffert, but he's struggled at this level

previously and owns lower Speed figures. SIGFRETO (Spunky Rascal) has made nice

progress for O'Neill since being claimed for $20,000 in August, but he drew a

tough outside post and may be in too tough.

FORMAL ATTIRE (Formal Gold) makes his first start for trainer Patrick

Biancone, but we can't recommend his chances based on his form this season.

CALKINS ROAD (Illinois Storm) comes off a non-threatening fourth in the Cal Cup

Classic H. and may struggle with the class hike here. VALID AGAIN (Awesome

Again) doesn't look fast enough to challenge.