San Marcos J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Sunday's rescheduled San Marcos S. (G2) at Santa Anita will see all of the

original entrants plus one line up in the gate of the 1 1/4-mile turf test. LOUP

BRETON (Ire) (Anabaa) was our original choice, and we see no reason to go

against him now. A Group 2 winner in France, the bay six-year-old was shipped

stateside last fall and immediately stepped up to score in an allowance for new

trainer Julio Canani. He tried the San Gabriel H. (G2) on December 27 and just

missed in that nine-furlong test by a neck. The extra distance of this one

should be more than enough for Loup Breton to return to the winner's circle with

Garrett Gomez in the saddle.

DYNAMIC RANGE (Dynaformer) brings a two-race win skein into this, his stakes

bow, and the long-distance specialist probably has the best chance of anyone in

this field of upending our top choice. The bay gelding took five tries to break

his maiden, then just missed in his next three attempts before putting together

his current win streak. He appeared to really relish the 12- and 10-furlong

distances of his last two, and keeps regular rider Victor Espinoza aboard for

this one. The Canani-trained four-year-old appears quite capable of upending his

stablemate.

Stakes victor RIVIERA COCKTAIL (Giant's Causeway) will be trying graded

company for the second straight time after running fourth by 1 1/4 lengths in

the Sir Beaufort S. (G3) on December 26. The Neil Drysdale charge earned a nice

98 BRIS Speed rating for that effort as well as a 99 BRIS Late Pace figure. He

could surprise at a good price under Joel Rosario.

HIGH COURT DRAMA (Ire) (Theatrical [Ire]) earned a nice 97 Speed rating for

taking an allowance/optional claimer at Hollywood in November, and returns to

the turf here following a runner-up effort in the Native Diver H. (G3) on the

Cushion Track. That was only the second U.S. try for the bay, who could easily

continue to improve in this spot with a stretch-out in ground and a return to

the turf. Consider for the top three with Michael Baze in the irons.

MUHANNAK (Ire) (Chester House), winner of the inaugural Breeders' Cup

Marathon, hasn't won since that 2008 event. He finished fifth while trying to

defend his title in the Marathon in November, and has been under the tutelage of

trainer Ben Cecil ever since. The dark bay six-year-old showed flashes of talent

prior and up to his Breeders' Cup win, so a return to that form could see him

competing for a share under Martin Pedroza.

PORFIDO (Chi) (Mash One [Chi]) placed in two of his three graded attempts

last year, and rounded out 2009 with a nice second to Loup Breton in an

allowance at Hollywood in November. The eight-year-old veteran consistently

posts good numbers, but doesn't seem to have a winning attitude. His chances for

a spot in the exotics are much better and he posted a bullet five-furlong move

on January 12 in preparation for this. Joe Talamo has the return call.

PEARL FISHER (Smart Strike) has hit the board in nearly half of his career

starts, but the chestnut just doesn't appear talented enough to handle this

bunch. DEAL BREAKER (GB) (Night Shift) is the new entrant who will be trying his

luck in the San Marcos, but we don't believe the chestnut will make an impact

here. His only stateside turf race came as a win against $50,000 claimers, and

he probably needs an easier spot. ZAPPA (Afternoon Deelites) has descended into

the claiming ranks and looks out of his class in this race. AGGIE ENGINEER's (E

Dubai) worst loss to date came against graded rivals, and we believe history

will repeat itself here.