Pat O'Brien

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday's $300,000 Pat O'Brien H. (G2) marks the return of champion sprinter

MIDNIGHT LUTE (Real Quiet). Although the Bob Baffert charge is entitled to win

this, we'll take a stab against the prohibitive favorite for two reasons: he's

making his belated 2008 debut and racing on Del Mar's Polytrack for the first

time. Neither of those factors could be enough to derail the reigning Breeders'

Cup Sprint (G1) hero, but taken together, they cause a smidgeon of concern to

creep in. Instead, let's swing for the fences with REBELLION (GB) (Mozart

[Ire]), who packs a bigger punch than his 15-1 morning-line price suggests.

Trained by Graham Motion, Rebellion has developed into a specialist at this

seven-furlong distance, or thereabouts, on synthetic surfaces. In his seasonal

reappearance, the handsome bay captured the Commonwealth S. (G2) on Keeneland's

Polytrack, and next time out, he rallied from last to win the Ack Ack H. (G3) on

Hollywood's Cushion Track. He failed to cope with two turns when winding up an

even fifth in the San Diego H. (G2), but reverting in distance should be just

what he needs to put his best foot forward. Rebellion must do that to spring an

upset, but we suspect that a big effort is in the offing. Regular rider Rafael

Bejarano is charged with masterminding the right trip from off the pace.

Midnight Lute rates as the class of the 12-horse field, and if he's anywhere

near his best, will kick off his five-year-old campaign in style. The dark bay

has been firing bullet works on the surface, so he has given every indication

that he's handling the Polytrack. Even so, training on it, and racing on it, can

be two different things. His only two prior synthetic tries are inconclusive,

for he won Keeneland's Perryville S. (G3) in a romp in 2006, but he was also

fourth as the even-money favorite in the 2007 Commonwealth. Garrett Gomez will

be back in the saddle aboard the Eclipse Award winner.

IN SUMMATION (Put It Back) has raced at Del Mar twice in his career, winning

the 2007 Bing Crosby H. (G1) in a last-gasp dive for the line and finishing a

troubled second as the defending champion last time out. That day, after being

compromised by traffic problems, the Christophe Clement pupil rallied to go down

by one length to the streaking Street Boss (Street Cry [Ire]). At this point, In

Summation looks like he'd prefer a bit longer than the Crosby's six furlongs,

and the extra ground of the Pat O'Brien could help him get back on the winning

track. He figures to attract support as the prime alternative to Midnight Lute,

though, and may not offer much value. Corey Nakatani will guide the

stalk-and-pounce type.

LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy) looms as an attractive contender at 8-1 on the morning

line. The Frank Calabrese homebred boasts a sterling 6-2-3-0 mark on synthetic

ovals, including a smashing victory in last year's Washington Park H. (G2), a

runner-up effort to Midnight Lute in the Perryville, and a second in the 2007 Commonwealth in which Midnight Lute was fourth. In addition, the

full brother to champion Dreaming of Anna is eligible to move forward off his

fourth in the grassy Sea o' Erin H. in his 2008 bow. The seven furlongs might be

a bit short for him, but Lewis Michael has been training sharply at his

Arlington base and should not be discounted beneath Rene Douglas.

HOW'S YOUR HALO (Halo's Image) is intriguing based on his last outing, a

strong runner-up effort to top sprinter Benny the Bull (Lucky Lionel) in the

Smile Sprint H. (G2) at Calder. Also noteworthy is the fact that he will be

making his first start for Wesley Ward, who wins at a 26 percent clip with new

recruits. On the other hand, it's anyone's guess how he will adjust to a

synthetic track for the first time in his life, and he could have been flattered

by the Calder home court advantage in the Smile. BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy

Atlantic) has turned in some valiant efforts in defeat, especially when narrowly

beaten by In Summation a couple of times this winter. We're a bit put off by his

throwing in the towel in the Bing Crosby, however, and would prefer to see a

more characteristic performance again before endorsing. He'll probably face

serious early pressure from HEWITTS (Concerto).

DOPPIO (Gentlemen [Arg]) looked sharp when taking a solid allowance/optional

claimer over the track. Considering that he was no match for Rebellion at

Keeneland, he's got to improve quite a bit to threaten here. TALL TEXAN (Point

Given) held his own against some stakes-quality allowance/optional claiming

foes, but he's a stab in the dark in his sixth lifetime start. If he weren't

trained by Richard Mandella, he would look even more suspect. ARSON SQUAD

(Brahms) has no shortage of back class, but we can't ignore the fact that his

downward spiral coincided with the shift from dirt to synthetic. HURRY UP AUSTIN

(Lake Austin) has class concerns in this spot, as does the speedy Hewitts.

DECADO (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) posted decent results in Ireland, but after four

unplaced efforts in Southern California routes, this has the earmarks of a sheer

experiment.