San Antonio J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

Saturday's $250,000

San Antonio H. (G2) features a good field of nine. AWESOME GEM

(Awesome Again) rounded out last season with a commendable third in

the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and we expect big things from the

Craig Dollase-trained gelding in 2008.

Winner of the 2007 San

Fernando S. (G2) on dirt in mid-January, Awesome Gem did not carry

that form forward in subsequent appearances in the Strub S. (G2) and

Santa Anita H. (G1). His fortunes improved when switching to

synthetic tracks in late spring. Following a couple of nice efforts

at Hollywood, Awesome Gem recorded a fast-closing second in both the

San Diego H. (G2) and Pacific Classic (G1). He just missed in the

Goodwood S. (G1) at Santa Anita in late September, finishing second

by a nose, and Awesome Gem appears poised for a big year at five.

The chestnut returned to the worktab in late December, working

steadily in preparation for the San Antonio, and we'll give him a

slight edge in this tough spot.

Pacific Classic hero STUDENT COUNCIL (Kingmambo) merits serious

respect. The bay horse concluded his U.S. campaign last year with a

pair of outstanding wins, capturing the Pacific Classic over

Polytrack and the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) over dirt, before

traveling to the Far East for the Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1). After

offering a menacing middle move, Student Council weakened to eighth,

but we won't hold that effort against him. The Vladimir Cerin runner

loves synthetic tracks (three-for-five) and appears to be training

well for his six-year-old bow.

Classic-placed SWEETNORTHERNSAINT (Sweetsouthernsaint) figures to

offer some value off a dull sixth in the Holiday Cheer S. at Turfway

Park. That six-furlong event was too short for him and strictly a

prep for bigger prizes. The five-year-old gelding owns plenty of

back class, finishing second to Bernardini in the 2006 Preakness

(G1), and he didn't run poorly when placing in three graded events

last season. The Michael Trombetta charge has trained forwardly at

Santa Anita for his West Coast debut, and we'll include the early

runner in the exotics.

HEATSEEKER (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) closed strongly to post a

30-1 upset in the Native Diver H. (G3) two starts back and followed

it up with a solid third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths, in the San Pasqual

H. (G2). Rafael Bejarano will pick up the mount aboard the Jerry

Hollendorfer runner, and Heatseeker should receive a good set-up

with plenty of speed present. Consider for a minor award.

ZAPPA (Afternoon Deelites) improved significantly when switching

to synthetic tracks last year, and the John Sadler trainee exits an

impressive score in the January 12 San Pasqual at Santa Anita. He's

a candidate to bounce off that career-best effort, but toss him at

your own risk.

Multiple Grade 1-placed BIG BOOSTER (Accelerator) will return off

the shelf for Mike Mitchell, and this looks like a tune-up for the

Big 'Cap next month. The seven-year-old gelding displayed a powerful

late kick in a couple of stakes last season, but we'll give him at

least one race back.

San Pasqual runner-up WELL ARMED (Tiznow) will take them as far

as he can on the front end, but we're afraid he'll face too much

pressure to be effective at 1 1/8 miles. RACKETEER (Awesome Again)

surprised with a good second in the Native Diver two back, but he

lacked a bid in the San Pasqual and loses Bejarano to Heatseeker.

We'll let him beat us. RATHOR (Ire) (Machiavellian) could easily

find this company too difficult.