Vernon O. Underwood

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

DECLAN’S MOON (Malibu Moon), the undefeated two-year-old champion of 2004, is
our top choice in Saturday’s $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) at Hollywood
Park. The dark bay has not started since being eased in the Pat O’Brien
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at Del Mar. Trainer Ron Ellis said Declan’s Moon exited
the seven-furlong event with a lung infection, and the gelding has been
working up a storm for his return to action. He blew out four furlongs in a
bullet :46 2/5 on Tuesday, and posted works of a mile (1:40), seven furlongs
(1:25 4/5) and six-furlong bullet (1:12 1/5) earlier this month. Declan’s Moon
should be hard to deny here.

SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) got shuffled back early, then took the overland
route before finishing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). The bay gelding
closed from last-to-first to win the Pat O’Brien in his prior start, earning a
109 BRIS Speed rating, and recorded triple-digit Speed figures when capturing
the Triple Bend Invitational H. (G1) and Los Angeles H. (G3) in his two previous
starts at this venue. The Art Sherman-trained closer is the primary threat, but
like many in here, he will be making his first start on a synthetic surface.

SAILORS SUNSET (Petionville) forced the early issue against the bias before
fading to sixth in the Perryville S. (G3) on Polytrack at Keeneland, then scored
a front-running victory in a stakes race at Turf Paradise, running six furlongs
in an eye-popping 1:07 3/5 last out. The gray sophomore figures to get sent for
the early lead along the rail and may add value to the exotics.

TURNBOLT (Deputy Minister), who finished second in this event last year, came
off the shelf with a fast runner-up effort to Swaps Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) winner
Arson Squad (Brahms) in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race at Oak Tree in October.
The Richard Mandella-trained chestnut likely will be in the mix early and gets
in with a feathery 116 pounds. He must be respected.

The speedy PREMIUM SALTINE (Salt Lake) has not started since setting fast
fractions and fading to last in the Bing Crosby H. (G1) on July 30 at Del Mar.
He is the only member of the field with a victory on a synthetic surface, having
won an allowance race on Polytrack at Turfway Park last September, but this is a
tough spot for a return. We’re going to play against. Group 1 winner ZANZIBAR (Arg)
(Luhuk) must have some issues since his last two starts have occurred in the Ancient
Title Breeders’ Cup S. (G1). The chestnut finished last in the October 7 Ancient
Title and is hard to recommend.

$25 Bankroll

$10 exacta: Declan’s Moon over Siren Lure

$5 exacta: Siren Lure over Declan’s Moon

$5 exacta part-wheel: Declan’s Moon over Sailors
Sunset and Turnbolt ($10)