Oak Tree BC Mile J

Saturday's $250,000 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G2) at Santa Anita has drawn a

field of eight, but the real question of the race is who will be running for

second. ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) has been unstoppable of late, and

towers over his closest rival in this field by 26.8 BRIS Prime Power points.

Winner of the Del Mar Breeders' Cup Mile H. (G2), Eddie Read H. (G1) and Shoemaker

Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) in his past three starts, the Neil Drysdale charge has

run up stellar BRIS Speed ratings. Add in winning experience over the course, and

Aragorn looks to add another score to his resume prior to heading to the

Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs. Corey Nakatani has the

call.

WILD BUDDY (Line in the Sand) is still looking for his first stakes win, but

has plenty of experience placing in graded events. The Steve Knapp-trained

seven-year-old was 1 1/2 lengths back of Aragorn in the Del Mar Breeders' Cup

last out after leading in the early part of that mile test. He finished third in

the Sunset Breeders Cup H. (G2) prior to that one, and in both cases earned

triple-digit BRIS E2 Pace ratings for setting the early pace.

Wild Buddy appears set to do the same type of running in this one, and is our

pick to fill out the exacta behind Aragorn at good odds once again.

BUCKLAND MANOR (Bien Bien) returns here off a more than six-month vacation,

but the six-year-old chestnut has done well in the past off such layoffs. He

finished just 1 3/4 lengths back of the winner while eighth in the Frank E.

Kilroe Mile H. (G1) in March, a race that Aragorn ran second in by just a head.

Third in this event last year, Buckland Manor loves both the course (11-4-3-2)

and distance (11-4-2-2). He won't be far off the early pace and could challenge

Wild Buddy for runner-up honors with Jose Valdivia Jr. aboard.

COURTNALL (Cherokee Run) is making just his second stakes start here, but

seems to have found new life while moving to the turf while going a mile. The

Craig Dollase charge came from midpack to take his last one under these

conditions by three lengths, earning a 97 Speed figure. The five-year-old

gelding has been training well of late, and could add some value to what is

shaping up to be skimpy exotics. Pat Valenzuela in the saddle only adds to his

chances.

LORD ADMIRAL (El Prado [Ire]) is something of an enigma in here. The

five-year-old bay was bred in Pennsylvania, but has raced exclusively overseas.

The Charles O'Brien trainee is making his U.S. debut in this spot off a nice

third in the Kilternan S. (Ire-G3) in early September.

Lord Admiral could surprise in the top three in his first start stateside.

SALTY HUMOR (Distorted Humor) owns some nice numbers, but the four-year-old

is taking a step up here while making his graded debut. We'll just watch for

now. THAT'S AN OUTRAGE (Quiet American) hasn't been competitive on the turf, at

the distance or over the course. We can't recommend. APALACHEE TIGER (Tiger

Ridge) doesn't look fast enough to keep up.