Tokyo City Cup

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

BIG BOOSTER (Accelerator) has run third in his past two races going 1 1/2

miles, and can use that experience to take his first race of 2009 in the

$100,000 Tokyo City Cup H. (G3) at Santa Anita. The 12-furlong Pro-Ride event

has drawn a field of seven, and Big Booster appears ready to earn his second

graded score. Just three parts of a length behind Muhannak (Ire) (Chester House)

in the Breeders' Cup Marathon to conclude his seven-year-old season, Big Booster

has been competitive off layoffs in the past. Rafael Bejarano will retain the

mount on the Mike Mitchell trainee.

STREAM CAT (Black Minnaloushe) was an easy winner of the Arlington H. (G3)

last year going 10 furlongs and just missed by 2 1/2 lengths when sixth in the

San Marcos S. (G2) going the same distance in his seasonal bow. Trained by

Patrick Biancone, the dark bay six-year-old was out of his class in the Santa

Anita H. (G1) last out, but could move forward in a big way against these. He'll

challenge for the win with Joseph Talamo holding the reins.

Grade 2 winner ZAPPA (Afternoon Deelites) dueled early in the Breeders' Cup

Marathon before falling back to seventh, but could do better here against a

lower class level. The bay gelding most recently ran second in the Turf Paradise

H. on the turf, but concluded last season with a win in an allowance at

Hollywood Park. He also ran fourth in the Pacific Classic (G1) while earning a

career best 102 BRIS Speed rating last year. Zappa will be tough in the top

three under jockey Alex Solis.

KIZZY'S CHAOS (Evansville Slew) will be making his stakes bow in this spot

off an easy front-running win against allowance/optional claiming rivals while

going 1 1/4 miles on the Pro-Ride. The dark bay four-year-old doesn't own quite

the same numbers as our top three, but the Vladimir Cerin charge could still

grab a piece of the exotics if he shows any kind of improvement. Martin Garcia

has the call. MEDJOOL (Monarchos) probably needs a little less ground to be

effective, but might still earn a check with Michael Baze aboard.

DYNAMALT (Dynaformer) hasn't been able to keep up against allowance

competition and most likely won't be able to challenge here. FIRE WOOD (Woodman)

has been facing claiming rivals of late. We can't recommend.