San Francisco Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Twelve horses' names were dropped in the entry box for Saturday's $300,000

San Francisco Mile S. (G2) at Golden Gate Fields, though the number of starters

could drop as several Southern California invaders have also been cross-entered

in Sunday's Inglewood H. (G3) at Hollywood Park. Our choice is FERNELEY (Ire) (Ishiguru),

who has landed in a good spot to notch his first graded stakes win in North

America.

A Group 3 winner in Ireland, Ferneley was a little slow out of the box in

making a similar impact at the same level following his importation, but he's

done well for himself over the past five months. A narrowly beaten second to

next-out winner Proudinsky (Ger) (Silvano [Ger]) in the San Gabriel H. (G2) in

late December, Ferneley ran another strong race when losing by less than a

length in the San Marcos S. (G2) next out. Following a dud in the Thunder Road

H. (G3), which was switched from turf to Pro-Ride, Ferneley was given nearly two

months off before exploding to victory in a course-and-distance allowance prep

at Golden Gate on April 3. With that experience over the local lawn and a winner

in his last two attempts over a grass mile, Ferneley looks like a strong play under

Hall of Famer Russell Baze.

STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein), who is also a candidate for the Inglewood,

might encounter difficulty as one of several speed types in the field, but we

like the seven-year-old veteran's back class, which was demonstrated last summer

with placings in both the American H. (G2) and Eddie Read H. (G1). Though

unraced since late August, he is a four-time winner at the distance and figures

to hang on for a slice or more if he chooses this spot.

The Cal-bred LIBERIAN FREIGHTER (Bertrando) should not to be overlooked. The

Neil Drysdale charge has finished third or better in nine of his last 10 starts,

with the

exception coming in the Sunshine Millions Turf three back, where he tired over

rain-softened ground.. He's not the classiest horse in the race, but few in

the field give their all as often as he does. If a

couple of the stronger-looking entrants defect, it should only improve his chances at securing one of

the bigger checks.

MR NAPPER TANDY (GB) (Bahamian Bounty) was a closing second in the Arcadia H.

(G2) last time and a close sixth in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) two back.

He obviously figures if he chooses this race over the Inglewood, though his

3-for-22 career mark suggests there are better win candidates from a pari-mutuel

perspective. BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) had an outstanding 2008 campaign

which included a couple stakes scores at Bay Meadows. He hasn't been quite as

sharp to start the new year, and was a well-beaten third behind Ferneley last

time. He is capable of better, though. SKY CAPE (Najran) is another who could

use a shot in the arm with mostly modest form showing since his upset win in the

La Jolla H. (G2) last August. MR. WOLVERINE (Last Lion) was a sharp second in

the Sensational Star H. last month following an extended layoff, and should be

much sharper for this one.

Grade 1 veteran SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) has won nearly half of his 13 starts

on grass, but is riding a three-race win streak in Tapeta sprints and would

probably be a better fit in similar conditions. Grade 3 winner AUTISM AWARENESS

(Tannersmyman) has picked a tough spot to make his grass debut. YACHT SPOTTER (Slewdledo),

runner-up to Ferneley last time, has an excellent 7-5-2-0 record over this turf

course, but the ex-claimer faces the toughest field of his career here. SILENT

SOUL (Afternoon Deelites), who was also entered in the Inglewood, doesn't seem

classy enough for either spot. OUR PARTNER (Partner's Hero) has won three of his

last four, albeit for claiming prices ranging from $50,000 to $80,000.