Arcadia J

Ten turf horses will line up in Saturday’s $150,000 Arcadia H. (G2) at Santa
Anita, and MILK IT MICK (GB) (Millkom [GB]) appears poised to deliver a top
effort. Once a co-highweight as a juvenile in England, the bay lost his way for
a couple of years until joining Jim Cassidy in California last season. Milk It
Mick then promptly recaptured his best form, taking the 2006 Frank E. Kilroe
Mile H. (G1) and placing in the San Marcos S. (G2) and last year’s Arcadia. He
didn’t get the chance to run up to his abilities when he finished a troubled
third in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S. (G1) at Churchill Downs, and he
exited a disappointing effort in the Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile S. (G1) with a
cannon bone injury. Milk It Mick returned from a nine-month layoff to defend his
title in the March 3 Kilroe, threatening briefly in midstretch before tiring
late to wind up fifth. That outing must have done him a world of good, and he’s
been training sharply in advance of this mile test. Milk It Mick will likely get
a stalking trip beneath Mike Smith, and with his abundant class, we expect him
to sweep to victory in the stretch.

PORTO SANTO (Fr) (Kingsalsa), who routinely posts triple-digit BRIS Late Pace
ratings, should finally get a fast pace to set up his kick. In the Kilroe, he
raced just about in midpack, several lengths off a tepid pace, before offering a
strong rally for fourth in his first try versus older horses. The half-brother
to Grade 1 queen Gorella (Fr) was among the top three-year-olds on the
California turf last year, and the Julio Canani charge could break through at
the Grade 2 level after a near-miss last summer in the La Jolla H. (G2). Brice
Blanc will be back aboard the talented closer.

Multiple Grade 2 hero WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer) figures to flash speed from
his far outside post (10), and the Vladimir Cerin trainee is quick enough to
clear the field with David Cohen. The bay gelding is always dangerous when he’s
winging it out front, but he’ll likely face pressure in his seasonal
reappearance after a 10-month vacation. Although Willow O Wisp has the class to
hold on for a share, we think he’ll need this race and will be fitter next time.

EL ROBLAR (War Chant) rates as an intriguing dark horse for Richard Mandella.
The lightly raced five-year-old has attempted a grassy mile just once, and it
clearly agreed with him as he posted a smart score in the second division of the
Oceanside S. in 2005. He’s experimented with different distances on both turf
and dirt, performing creditably on occasion, including a third in the San
Antonio H. (G2) two starts back. Seventh in the Santa Anita H. (G1) last time
out, El Roblar should love cutting back in trip while returning to the grass
here. The dark bay will probably take up a forward position beneath Richard
Migliore.

HELLO SUNDAY (Fr) (Poliglote [GB]) is another who will prefer going a mile. A
French Group 3 winner at this trip last year, he made his American debut for
Bobby Frankel in the 1 1/4-mile San Marcos and faded to finish seventh after
setting a pressured pace. The four-year-old bay is eligible to show much more in
this spot, but if he tries to engage Willow O Wisp early, he could compromise
his chances. HENDRIX (Sultry Song) has placed in five graded stakes, crowned by
his runner-up effort in the Citation H. (G1) last November. We’re concerned that
he’s coming off a poor seventh in the Mervin Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) at Fair
Grounds, and the late runner is better with a little more ground, but Hendrix
can crack the top three with his best effort.

ICY ATLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic), erstwhile pacemaker for the top-class English
Channel (Smart Strike), has run well in both of his solo tries this year.
Runner-up to Lava Man (Slew City Slew) in the Sunshine Millions Turf, the Todd
Pletcher charge is exiting an allowance score over the course. Icy Atlantic is
facing a stronger bunch here, however, and he’s not as effective at this trip.
MACDUFF (GB) (Machiavellian) has been a useful performer in allowance/optional
claiming company, but he has class questions to answer after his lackluster
eighth in the Muniz.

CRESTED (GB) (Fantastic Light) turned in several admirable performances in
graded events over longer distances last year, but he was soundly drubbed in the
one-mile Sir Beaufort S. (G3) in December and didn’t threaten Icy Atlantic last
time out. MAJESTIC STREAM (Fusaichi Pegasus), who could contribute to the early
pace, looks out of his depth here.