Santa Margarita

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Undefeated dual champion ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) will make her

long-awaited six-year-old bow on Saturday when facing eight rivals in the

$250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) at Santa Anita, but the 1 1/8-mile

Pro-Ride test is just a stepping stone to the main attraction on April 9, the

$5 million Apple Blossom Invitational (G1) against Horse of the Year Rachel

Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). Even though the Santa Margarita has become more of a

prep than anything at this point for Zenyatta, the dark bay mare should find no

difficulty in schooling this field. The first female in history to win the

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in her 2009 finale, the John Shirreffs charge was

retired, then brought back into training by owners Jerry and Ann Moss in hopes

of a face-off with Rachel Alexandra. The anticipated match is now set and

Zenyatta should receive the perfect tightener here with regular rider Mike Smith

aboard.

The rest of this field is running for second place, and we think that PRETTY

UNUSUAL (Unusual Heat) will take down that prize. The Barry Abrams trainee

captured the El Encino S. (G2) on January 17, but has competed on turf in her

past two, running third in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf and fifth in

the Buena Vista H. (G2). She's finished worse than second only once from five

starts on Pro-Ride and should relish her return to that surface under Chantal

Sutherland.

FLOATING HEART (Giant's Causeway) racked up a pair of nice allowance scores

in Kentucky prior to shipping to the West Coast for her stakes debut in the

Bayakoa H. (G2). She ran a good fourth that day, and has thrown in third-place

finishes in the Paseana H. and La Canada S. (G2) in her past two. The Todd

Pletcher four-year-old has continued to show improvement and might be ready to

challenge for best-of-the-rest against these. Joe Talamo has the call.

STRIKING DANCER (Smart Strike) won the La Canada by 1 1/2 lengths in her

Pro-Ride bow and could threaten for the place spot. The four-year-old chestnut

earned a nice 113 BRIS Late Pace rating for her rally in the La Canada, and has

posted a couple of sharp works in advance of this one. Alex Solis could guide the Kenny McPeek charge to victory over everyone except Zenyatta.

GRIPSHOLM CASTLE (Dynaformer) ran a very nice second in the La Canada while

making her first start stateside and might be able to get the better of all but

one rival here. The dark bay posted a solid 94 BRIS Speed figure that day, and

last season in England, she was a

seven-length winner going long on turf. Victor Espinoza will be in

the saddle. DANCE TO MY TUNE (Stravinsky) was just 2 1/2 lengths back in sixth

in the Wishing Well H. last out, and missed by only 1 1/2 lengths when fifth

against allowance/optional claiming rivals prior to that. A similar run could

see the Jerry Hollendorfer chestnut picking up a check.

MADE FOR MAGIC (Cape Canaveral) owns just one second from five tries over the

Pro-Ride, and we can't see the bay mare challenging here. PRETTY KATHERINE

(Vindication) could offer no run in the La Canada and probably needs an easier

spot. POWEROFVOODOO (Unusual Heat) was third against claimers last out. Enough

said.