San Fernando BC

Saturday’s $200,000 San Fernando Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) has attracted a field
of nine four-year-olds that offer a mixed bag of accomplishments. Only three
have tasted success in graded stakes, and unfortunately for bettors seeking
value, two of them — GREELEY’S GALAXY (Mr. Greeley) and OSIDY (Storm
Cat) — are running together as an entry. Of the rest, two are graded
stakes-placed, one failed to hit the board in his only graded stakes try and
three are testing graded waters for the first time. This clear stratification in
class should help in assessing respective claims to the 1 1/16-mile contest.

Greeley’s Galaxy towers over this group in terms of his record
at three, and if he returns to his brilliant best under Kent Desormeaux, he is
the horse to beat. The Warren Stute trainee looked top-class when running away
by 9 1/2 lengths in the Illinois Derby (G2), earning
a 108 BRIS Speed figure that eclipses the career-bests of everyone else in this
race. It’s worth noting that the runner-up that day, Monarch Lane (Maria’s Mon),
just returned to action with an impressive allowance score at Gulfstream. After
finishing 11th in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Greeley’s Galaxy faded to
seventh in the Preakness S. (G1) but still managed to rack up an eye-popping 115
E2 Pace rating in the course of that classic. The key question is when he will
display that kind of ability again. Returning from a seven-month layoff in the
Malibu S. (G1), he was beaten by 9 1/4 lengths into seventh. That could set him
up for a vastly improved effort, and he has since turned in a solid one-mile
work. Given that he’s likely to be a short price, though, we’ll try to find an
attractive candidate to beat him.

As the only graded stakes winner that is not part of an entry, UNBRIDLED
ENERGY (Unbridled’s Song) may well be the value play here. He also ran in the
Malibu off a nearly six-month layoff, finishing fifth in his first start for
trainer Richard Mandella. Since then, he worked a bullet six furlongs in company
with stablemate and rival Osidy. Although not scintillating, he ran respectably
enough at three. When capturing the Marine S. (Can-G3), he defeated subsequent
Ohio Derby (G2) victor Palladio (Lycius). He then came second in the Northern
Dancer Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) at Churchill Downs to course specialist Don’t Get
Mad (Stephen Got Even), beating eventual West Virginia Derby (G3) hero Real
Dandy (Yankee Victor). In those stakes, Unbridled Energy posted Late Pace
ratings of 106 and 104, respectively. Intriguingly, the all-conquering Garrett
Gomez stays aboard for the San Fernando.

Osidy has shown class on the turf, and if he can transfer that form to the
main track, could threaten here for Mandella. In addition to scoring in the
grassy Will Rogers S. (G3), he turned in two creditable placed efforts behind
Willow O Wisp (Misnomer). In his main track bow in the Malibu, he was not
disgraced when sixth, especially considering that he was cutting back in
distance from the 1 1/8-mile events he had been tackling. Moreover, as noted
above, he has worked well on the dirt in company with Unbridled Energy, and his
pedigree is promising in this regard as well. If he weren’t coupled with
Greeley’s Galaxy, Osidy would be an enticing selection on his own merit. Alex
Solis will return to the saddle.

SORT IT OUT (Out of Place) was capable of running well on occasion last
spring but has struggled to regain that form ever since. His two best efforts
were both at the San Fernando distance of 1 1/16 miles, his victory in the
Whirlaway S. and his runner-up finish in the Lexington S. (G2), in which he
earned Speed figures of 103 and 104, respectively. Note that his Lexington was
contested in the slop — if the rains come as forecast on Saturday, his chances
could improve markedly. Victor Espinoza will ride for conditioner Bob Baffert.

Sort It Out will be coupled in the wagering with CANTEEN (Fusaichi Pegasus).
The Neil Drysdale charge scored a sharp allowance victory at Hollywood Park in
his latest outing, with the one-length margin not reflective of his superiority.
Although so highly regarded that he took part in last year’s Arkansas Derby (G2)
while still technically a maiden and checked in sixth, Canteen has not yet put
up the Speed ratings to match his reputation, hovering between 91-93 in each of
his last six starts. While he could still step up and deliver a breakthrough
performance, his pattern thus far suggests that he’s reached a plateau. Patrick
Valenzuela will partner the colt for the fourth straight start.

BRECON BEACON (GB) (Spectrum) has solid turf credentials with a third in the
Oak Tree Derby (G2), defeating Osidy, but will make his American dirt debut in a
tough spot for trainer Doug O’Neill. Still, he recently drilled six furlongs on
the Santa Anita dirt in a bullet 1:12 2/5, and his lone start on the all-weather
surface in England hints at main track ability. Last April at Lingfield, Brecon Beacon
was second in an allowance to Party Boss (Silver Patriarch), who at the time was
notching his sixth straight win on the all-weather track. Corey Nakatani will be in
the irons for the first time.

SWING YOUR PARTNER (Wheaton) is confronting two new challenges at the same
time — his first two-turn race is also his debut in stakes company. The Tim
Yakteen colt, however, has racked up Late Pace figures of 104 and 110 in three
of his last four outings. Aaron Gryder will ride. DISTORTED (Distorted Humor)
has won two in a row at 1 1/16 miles in allowance/optional claiming company for
Paddy Gallagher, and he figures to be part of the early pace in his stakes bow
under Jose Valdivia Jr. SWISS LAD (Phone Saga) was running for a $62,500
claiming tag two starts back, and the Martin Jones trainee has never been beyond
seven furlongs or encountered this level of competition. Tyler Baze has the
call.