San Carlos J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

With the exception of Grade 1 hero GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule), Saturday's

$150,000 San Carlos H. (G2) lacks quality. He's the only graded winner in the

field, and three of his five rivals are more proven around two turns. The George Schwary homebred figures to have his way against this group of rivals.

Trained by Kathy Walsh, Georgie Boy captured the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at

Saturday's seven-furlong distance and is a four-time stakes winner sprinting. He

exits a facile score over restricted rivals in the Sunshine Millions Sprint,

registering a commendable 102 BRIS Speed rating for the 2 1/4-length decision,

and has proven very versatile, winning on the lead or from off the pace. Given

the lack of early speed here, jockey Garrett Gomez will likely put Georgie Boy

into the race from the start, and we'll look for the four-year-old gelding to

win easily.

HALO NAJIB (Halo's Image) raced primarily in routes last season for Dale

Romans, but the four-year-old was transferred to Mike Mitchell this season and

made his California debut at six furlongs last out, recording a third in the

Palos Verdes H. (G2). Halo Najib is eligible to improve off the effort and

merits some consideration for the upset in this spot, but his Speed and Class

numbers are much lower than Georgie Boy. We'll take him for the bottom of the

exacta.

PAST THE POINT (Indian Charlie) owns some back class, recording a fine second

to Curlin in the Woodward S. (G1) last August, and finished second two starts

back at Hollywood Park. He didn't run well over the Pro-Ride last time in the

San Pasqual H. (G2), but the competition isn't as tough here and the Eoin Harty

trainee figures to show speed from the start under Joel Rosario. We won't be

surprised to see him hold for a minor award.

MUTADDA (Mutakddim) ships in for Tom Amoss off a win in the six-furlong F.W.

Gaudin Memorial S. at Fair Grounds. A confirmed sprint specialist, the improving

five-year-old brings strong BRIS Late Pace numbers into his California debut,

but we'll just watch to see how he handles the Pro-Ride.

YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman) has made all five of his U.S. starts in

routes and hasn't started since an unplaced showing in the Preakness S. (G1).

We'll give him a race back. STAR NICHOLAS (Poteen) won the restricted On Trust

H. two starts back, but we can't envision the six-year-old gelding challenging

here in his graded debut.