San Antonio

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday'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.