Santa Barbara

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $200,000 Santa Barbara H. (G2) marks the 2009 bow of Grade 1

queen BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), who concluded her 2008 campaign with

a solid fourth in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) against males, and the 1 1/4-mile

distance is a perfect fit.

Black Mamba missed by only a nose in the 2008 Santa Barbara, and the New

Zealand import ran big over the summer, posting wins in the John C. Mabee H.

(G1) and Beverly Hills H. (G2). Her only bad showing last season came at a mile,

which is far too short for the late runner. The six-year-old mare shows three

consecutive seven-furlong works in preparation for her return, and we like the

John Sadler trainee in this spot.

TIZFIZ (Tiznow) looks like the lone speed, and we'll tab the Rafael Deleon

runner for the bottom of the exacta. A narrow winner of the San Gorgonio H. (G2)

in her seasonal opener, she turned in a respectable third when racing over

the Pro-Ride last time in the Buena Vista H. (G2). The distance is a concern,

but the five-year-old mare loves the turf at Santa Anita (4-3-1-0) and is a

threat to last a long way here.

MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]) registered a two-length victory in the Del Mar

Oaks (G1) last August, and the Paddy Gallagher trainee turned in a very

encouraging performance in her 2009 opener when finishing a close second in the

La Canada S. (G2). She didn't run as well when fourth in the Santa Margarita

Invitational H.

(G1) last out, but the chestnut will move back to the turf on Saturday, which is

her best surface. The late runner owns some terrific BRIS Late Pace ratings, and

she'll look to finish up strong in this affair.

FOXYSOX (GB) (Foxhound) is the defending champion, and the Carla Gaines

runner is eligible to outperform our expectations once again. She comes into

this year's race off a couple of solid efforts at a mile, and we've always felt

that she prefers less ground than 10 furlongs. The six-year-old game is very

honest, winning five of nine starts over Santa Anita's turf, and we won't be

surprised to see her grab a spot in the top three.

TOQUE DE QUEDA (GB) (Dansili [GB]) ran well for third at 53-1 when making her

U.S. debut in the Beverly D. S. (G1) last August, but she was no factor when

fifth at much shorter odds in the E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) last time out. The

five-year-old has been transferred to Bobby Frankel and will make her first

California start on Saturday, and we wouldn't be surprised to see her move up

under the Hall of Famer's care. AINAMAA (Lemon Drop Kid) can't be completely

dismissed from exotics consideration, but we don't like her chances at this

distance.

STEP SOFTLY (GB) (Golan [Ire]) will make her third U.S. start and steps up in

class off a pair of unplaced finishes, including a fourth last time versus

allowance rivals. GRACE ANATOMY (Aldebaran) owns some back class, but we can't

recommend her chances based on her recent form. PERSIAN EXPRESS (Bahri) looks

overmatched.