AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| MERVYN LEROY H.
(G2), 3RD-HOL, $150,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 2:20 P.M. (PDT), 5-13 |
|
| 1 |
SURF CAT, 4, c, by Sir CatTrust Greta, by Centrust O-A Headley & Naify; B-William Taylor Nicholls & Gainesway Farm (Ky) |
| 2 |
SPELLBINDER, 5, h, by Tale of the CatThorough Fair, by Quiet American O-Mr & Mrs J S Moss; B-James E. Jones (Ky) |
| 3 |
KEEP ON PUNCHING, 5, h, by Silver DeputyAmber Ryder, by Red Ryder O-W D Or Ella Sivage; B-James M. Herbener Jr. & Paul V Paternostro(Ky) |
| 4 |
TIMIAS, 4, c, by Seeking the GoldDragonada, by Nureyev O-Cecil & Flaxman Holdings Ltd; B-Flaxman Holdings, Ltd. (Ky) |
| 5 |
DIXIE MEISTER, 4, G, by HolzmeisterDixity Do Dah, by Dixieland Band O-Gary A Tanaka; B-Ken Quirk & Linda Quirk (Tx) |
| 6 |
GALLARDO, 4, c, by Running StagMotel Time, by Innkeeper O-Patti & Hal J Earnhardt III; B-McKathan Bros. (Fl) |
A field of six will contest the $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) and the 1
1/16-mile event sets up to be a two-horse race. SURF CAT (Sir Cat) owns a ton of
class and will go favored, but we’ll try to beat him with SPELLBINDER (Tale of
the Cat).
Trained by Richard Mandella, Spellbinder finished a good third in the Native
Diver H. (G3) in mid-December and hit his best stride this year, finishing a
close third, beaten only a half-length for it all by High Limit (Maria’s Mon),
in January’s San Pasqual H. (G2) before winning the San Antonio H. (G2) in early
February. The five-year-old probably found the 1 1/4-mile distance too long when
seventh in the Santa Anita H. (G1) last out, but 8 1/2 furlongs fits Spellbinder
perfectly. He’ll probably show speed from post 2 with Martin Pedroza and likes
the track (6-2-1-1). We’ll give him top billing.
Surf Cat won the nine-furlong Swaps Breeders’ Cup (G2) last July, but he’s
probably better at shorter distances, opening this year with sharp wins in the
seven-furlong San Carlos H. (G2) and the 6 1/2-furlong Potrero Grande Breeders’
Cup H. (G2), earning BRIS Speed ratings of 108 and 105, respectively. He looks
like a top contender for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and probably
should be pointing toward one-turn events like the Met Mile (G1), but trainer
Bruce Headley wants to try Surf Cat at longer distances again. The dark bay
could be vulnerable at short odds.
DIXIE MEISTER (Holzmeister) owns a fine late kick, registering BRIS Late Pace
ratings of 105 or better in three of his last four starts, and he’ll make his
second appearance for the dangerous Julio Canani. Freshened for this start off a
good second in a listed event at Santa Anita, Dixie Meister indicated his
readiness with a bullet five-furlong work on Tuesday (fastest of 31 at the
distance). We’ll look for him to finish strong for a top-three placing.
GALLARDO (Running Stag) will probably receive a favorable trip with his
tactical speed and we’ll throw his last race out since it came over a wet-fast
track. The Bob Baffert runner will be making his graded debut in this spot, but
we’re inclined to give him a race at this level before backing.
KEEP ON PUNCHING (Silver Deputy) owns some speed and two wins over the track,
but the five-year-old doesn’t look fast enough to challenge for the win.
Unplaced in his last four starts, his recent form doesn’t offer much
encouragement. TIMIAS (Seeking the Gold) will make his dirt debut off a turf
allowance win last out, his first start in the United States. We’ll give the
French import a race on the main track.