The Californian

CHOCTAW NATION (Louis Quatorze), who is unraced since finishing third in the

Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) in late March, tops Saturday's $250,000 Californian S.

(G2), and a false perception holds that horses lose a step after traveling to

Dubai. Of course, Victory Gallop, Aptitude and others have actually kept getting

better after returning to the United States from Dubai, and Choctaw Nation's

best races are likely in front of him.

The Grade 2 winner has worked steadily since late April for trainer Jeff

Mullins and earned an excellent 106 BRIS Speed rating when finishing a close

fourth in his seasonal bow, the seven-furlong San Carlos H. (G2) in late

February. Choctaw Nation is much better around two turns, and he offered a nice

rally to challenge Roses in May (Devil His Due) in upper stretch of the Dubai

World Cup before winding up third. The five-year-old gelding captured the San

Diego H. (G2) last August after making his career bow 15 1/2 months ago, and the

late-blooming Choctaw Nation could prove to be a strong force in the handicap

division out west the rest of the season. We'll look for him to get started with

a victory here.

BORREGO (El Prado [Ire]) offered a good run to be third in the Santa Anita H.

(G1) two starts back and returned off a brief freshening to just miss in the

Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) last time. The four-year-old showed his class last season

and recorded a confidence-building win in his seasonal bow three starts back.

Borrego figures to have a solid pace up front to set up his stalk-and-pounce

tactics.

ACE BLUE (Brz) (Coax Me Clyde) will show speed from the rail under David

Flores and brings a three-race win skein into the Californian. He's been

transferred to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer since his last, a head decision in the

Mervyn LeRoy, and may continue to carry his improving form forward in this spot.

Ace Blue has earned commendable Speed ratings of 103 and 104 from his last two

outings.

KEEP ON PUNCHING (Silver Deputy) has captured his last three outings but will

be tested for class in his stakes debut. The improving four-year-old does his

best running on the front end and will have to deal with some pressure, but Keep

on Punching could possibly hold for part.

ANZIYAN ROYALTY (Anziyan) owns excellent Speed ratings and is four-for-six

over the track. Trained by Craig Dollase, the five-year-old owns more success

against Cal-breds, but he gave a good account of himself when fourth, beaten

only two lengths, in the Mervyn LeRoy last out and may continue to show more

with a top three placing from just off the pace on Saturday. LAVA MAN (Slew City

Slew) owns plenty of stakes experience, but he's winless from four attempts at

this distance. We'll try to beat him with Pat Valenzuela up.

MOLENGAO (Brz) (Royal Academy) comes off a solid entry-level allowance score,

but we'll give the lightly raced colt a start at this level. SKUKUZA (Lord Avie)

is winless from four starts this year and probably needs an easier spot to be

competitive.