San Antonio

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The San Antonio H. (G2) looks like a good race, but we're not certain when it

will be held. With a faulty all-weather track that won't drain, Santa Anita was

forced to cancel Saturday's program, and the forecast isn't promising for

Sunday. We'll still handicap it and wish for the best in Arcadia, California.

We'll tab NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) in his second start off a layoff. Trained by

Patrick Biancone, the five-year-old horse captured last year's San Fernando (G2)

under similar conditions, earning a 99 BRIS Speed rating for the 2 3/4-length

decision, and he exits a solid tune-up for this event in the January 9 San

Pasqual H. (G2), rallying into serious contention in upper stretch before

settling for third-place honors, only 1 3/4 lengths back of the winner. The bay

horse owns a good finishing kick, registering BRIS Late Pace ratings of 118 and

111 in two of his last three starts, and he shows a six-furlong bullet work in

preparation. He appears ready for a top showing and should offer a little value

from post 10 with Joseph Talamo.

MAST TRACK (Mizzen Mast) is a wire-to-wire threat. He schooled a short group

of rivals in the Native Diver H. (G3) at this nine-furlong distance last time,

winning by 1 1/2 lengths, and he appears to be training forwardly in preparation

for new trainer John Shirreffs. A Grade 1 winner, Mast Track has shown the

ability to string together strong performances in the past, and the six-year-old

looks in-form presently. We'll back with him in multi-race wagers.

RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) is a win contender based upon class alone, but

the late runner is better at longer distances. He hasn't started since a sixth

in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and trainer Bob Baffert is using this race

strictly as a prep for the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), so we don't expect to see

the five-year-old fully cranked up for his best. The Pacific Classic (G1) hero

looks a little vulnerable to us here at expected short odds, but we won't be

surprised to see him mow down his rivals in the stretch.

FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) didn't enjoy the best trip when faltering as the

3-5 favorite in the San Pasqual last time, and we give him a chance to bounce

back with a much better performance. Winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1)

two back over Pro-Ride, the five-year-old gelding captured the Kentucky Cup

Classic (G2) three back at 1 1/8 miles, so we know he can handle the distance,

and his recent BRIS Speed ratings (103 for the both the Breeders' Cup and

Kentucky Cup) are certainly strong enough to get it done here. We don't like the

far outside post, however, and question whether the Mike Maker trainee is at the

top of his game presently. We'll let him beat us for the win, but will include

him in some gimmicks.

DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata) usually delivers an honest effort and managed to place

in three graded events last season. His recent BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers

are solid, so consider the stalker for the bottom of the exotics. PHILATELIST

(Rahy) will make his U.S. debut for Humberto Ascanio, and the six-year-old is a

five-time winner on synthetic tracks in Europe. Whether he's up to this level of

competition remains to be seen, but we can't help but remember Gitano Hernando

(GB) (Hernando [Fr]), a European synthetic specialist who looked overmatched

from a class standpoint before posting a big upset in the Goodwood (G1) last

October. We won't endorse Philatelist's chances, but he scares us a little.

GIGANTICUS (Giant's Causeway) shows a sharp three-furlong bullet work in

preparation for this start, but the distance doesn't look like a good fit for

the European shipper. MARSH SIDE (Gone West) would rate more serious

consideration if this race was on turf. The seven-year-old horse hasn't started

on a synthetic track since a fourth in the 2008 Cougar II H., and he must

rebound here from a non-competitive 17th-place effort in the November 29 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1).

SLEW'S TIZNOW (Tiznow) hasn't started since March and is unplaced in two

previous attempts at nine furlongs. We'll give him a race. QUASICOBRA (Wild

Rush) exits a couple of dull efforts versus allowance/optional claiming rivals

and looks overmatched in this spot for Biancone. PICK SIX (Dynaformer) will make

his synthetic debut with only one win in his last 12 starts, all on turf. He

would be a surprise.