Palos Verdes

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Santa Anita will host the 53rd

running of the Palos Verdes H. (G2) on Sunday. Eight will line up for the six-furlong event, including MCCANN'S MOJAVE (Memo [Chi]), who exits off an

unplaced outing in the El Conejo H. (G3). Despite that performance, the five-year-old has

shown an affinity for the Arcadia, California, track as well as the distance,

having recorded four wins in six attempts at Santa Anita while perfect in two

tries at six furlongs. If the Leonard Dorfman pupil follows past form, he will

sit off the pace while the leaders duel it out up front. This

could prove to be a winning strategy. David Flores has the call.

STONE RAIN (Grindstone) weakened in the stretch drive of the Malibu S. (G1)

last out and came home a disappointing sixth after setting the first two

fractions. He cuts back a furlong and has two wins in four attempts at Santa

Anita.

Although the John Sadler charge does not have vast experience against graded

company, he owns some excellent BRIS E2 Pace figures which should put him up near the

top of the pack in the end. Jockey Tyler Baze has six wins over the past two weeks

and has another good chance here.

TASTE OF PARADISE (Conquistador Cielo) comes off a 49-day layoff from an

upset win in the Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) where the Gary Mandella trainee

nosed out a victory at 26-1, earning a 106 BRIS Speed figure, the highest of his

career. He will most likely leave the gates at slightly smaller odds here, but

should fare well if he is able to put up a repeat performance of the Underwood,

despite a less than perfect 0-4 record at Santa Anita. Jose Valdivia Jr. will

be in the irons.

Although HOMBRE RAPIDO (Falstaff) possesses the best early Speed figures in

the field, he has only been able to stay out front in three of his 17 six-furlong

tries. This habit will lead us to bet against. However, he should still be able

to grab part of the exotics. This is the second of Sadler's

uncoupled entries and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.

PERFECT MOON (Malibu Moon) exits off a close fourth in the Malibu, beaten

only by a half-length. The cut back in distance should be an advantage here, as

the Doug O'Neill charge has shown success at the shorter distances. SAINT AFLEET

(Northern Afleet) has turned in some respectable performances for trainer Jeff

Mullins. The bay colt has three wins in five starts at Sunday's distance and may

play a part in the end.

WOKE UP DREAMIN (Holy Bull) placed a decent third in the El Conejo in his

first try against stakes company. The Bob Baffert charge has the ability to put

in a good outing, but he has not consistently been able to turn in high quality

performances so we'll let him beat us here. BLUESTHESTANDARD (American Standard)

comes off an ninth-place trip in the El Conejo after a slow break and no

response in the end. He will need a better trip to compete here.