Santa Anita H. J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A full field of 14 will travel 1 1/4 miles over the Cushion Track on Saturday in

the prestigious $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1). We could go numerous directions

in this evenly matched field and feel that as many as nine of them can win, but

we expect a huge effort from MEDICI CODE (GB) (Medicean) on this day. Trained by

Darrell Vienna, the gelded four-year-old has been a top performer since coming

to the United States nearly one year ago, finishing first in the La Jolla H. (G2) and

Del Mar Derby (G2) and placing in a trio of stakes engagements, mostly notably the

Hollywood Derby (G1) two starts prior. The chestnut had no chance in the San Gabriel H. (G2)

last out but has been prepped for this race, and a look back at his past

performances shows that he was dominant over synthetic ovals in Europe. Martin Pedroza has the assignment.

MONTEREY JAZZ (Thunderello) might be the horse to beat and certainly looms as

the one to catch in here for

Craig Dollase. The four-year-old has never been better, recording an impressive

front-running win in the Strub S. (G2) last out, and the colt has won all three

of his two-turn starts. He's been firing bullets in the morning in advance of

this and if the dark bay reproduces his Strub effort, his foes could be running for

second. Russell Baze will pilot the Kentucky-bred.

ZAPPA (Afternoon Deelites) disappointed in the San Antonio H. (G2) but is capable of

better for John Sadler. The late-blooming six-year-old was a sharp winner of the

San Pasqual H. (G2) over this ground two back and is three-for-five on

all-weather tracks, so it's not inconceivable that he turns it around on this

day. The Kentucky-bred should handle 10 panels with ease and has the tactical speed to

get first run on the deep closers, so we like him to complete the trifecta at

huge odds under Joel Rosario.

CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill) is bred for greatness and was much the best in

his San Marcos S. (G2) romp last out for Bobby Frankel. The five-year-old has a

fine turn of foot and is well drawn on the rail; the only question mark is if he

will handle this surface. Ramon Dominguez will guide the talented blue-blood.

Multiple Grade 1 hero TIAGO (Pleasant Tap) is another with a reasonable

chance in here, and he'll be making his third start off the layoff for expert

horseman John Shirreffs. The bay, who won the Goodwood S. (G1) last year over a

surface resembling this one, should have no trouble with the 10 furlongs in

this one but may need the speed to back up some to produce his best effort. Mike

Smith will once again be in the irons.

AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) has never been unplaced on all-weather surfaces

and exits a useful third in the San Antonio for Dollase.

The gelded chestnut is another who might need some pace to aid his solid

late kick, but he's done well in his morning drills leading up to this and could improve in his second off the bench. We find it interesting that David

Flores sides with this runner rather than the white-hot Monterey Jazz.

Pacific Classic S. (G1) star STUDENT COUNCIL (Kingmambo) was an even fifth in

the San Antonio last out and will be making his second start of the year for

Vladimir Cerin. The six-year-old bay is proven at the trip and showed enough

last out that he can handle this going, but as for many, he's going to need his

best and a perfect trip. The well-bred sort is yet another contender in this

puzzle.

CELTIC DREAMIN (Game Plan) is as honest as they come, compiling a 9-5-4-0

career line for conditioner Rafael Becerra. A strong second in the Sunshine

Millions Classic most recently, the gelding is another who could surely find the

top three with a good trip and effort. Alex Solis has the call.

HEATSEEKER (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) captured the Native Diver H. (G3) earlier

in this meet and exits a fine second in the San Antonio for Jerry Hollendorfer.

The chestnut has won or placed in five consecutive synthetic outings and has

trained well in the interim, but we can't promise that he'll be as effective at

1 1/4 miles as he is at shorter trips. Your call.

We're simply taking a stand on the outside three horses for post reasons. GO

BETWEEN (Point Given) was most impressive in crushing his foes in the Sunshine

Millions Classic last out, hails from the mighty barn of Bill Mott and has the

presence of top rider Garrett Gomez. With that said, another cross-country

flight and the 12-post could take a little starch out of this one in the latter

stages. Grade 1 hero GREAT HUNTER hasn't won in a year but is slowly improving

for trainer Doug O' Neill. The dark bay made a nice middle move before tiring

late in the Strub, and he could appreciate the added ground on this occasion.

Victor Espinoza must negotiate a dream trip in order for the four-year-old to

have a shot at a top three placing. AIR COMMANDER (Point Given) will almost

definitely have to send from the outermost post in here to have a chance, but

dueling on the front with Monterey Jazz early will likely find him gassed in the

final stages of this one for Bob Baffert. We can't envision any scenario that

the colt, who is a cut below the best in here anyhow, hits the board against

these.

BIG BOOSTER (Accelerator), who was a close third over this oval in the

Goodwood, will also be making his second run off the pine after finishing a

belated fourth in the San Antonio. In a race with so many talented foes, it

would be hard to side with a one-run closer that must pass 13 runners. Mike Baze

has the call. SEMINOLE NATIVE (Lil Tyler) likes this oval but would be a huge

surprise in here.