Palomar

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Trainer Bobby Frankel sends out the formidable duo of PRECIOUS KITTEN
(Catienus) and PRICE TAG (GB) (Dansili [GB]) in Saturday’s $250,000
Palomar H. (G2) at Del Mar, but indicated earlier in the week that
one of his entrants would be scratched prior to the race. Since we don’t know
which one, if either, could be left out, we’re handicapping this event as if
both are running.

It’s hard to separate the certain favorites for this race, but we’ll give a
slight edge to the former in here.
The incredibly consistent Precious Kitten has been first or second in seven
consecutive graded stakes, including a smart score in the John C. Mabee H. (G1)
last out, and rates top billing from our corner. The four-year-old is more
tactical than her stablemate and should get first run on that filly with Isaias Enriquez
listed to ride.

Price Tag possibly possesses more raw talent than anyone in the group and
would not shock with a winning run in here. The Matriarch S. (G1) vixen was last
seen finishing third in the CashCall Mile Invitational S. (G2), a head behind our top
pick, and only needs something resembling her best to challenge for the win in
here under Julien Leparoux.

CLINET (Ire) (Docksider) has flashed enough ability to be more than
competitive at this level, but we’re not sure if the erratic mare will be up to
her best on this occasion. Conditioned by Paddy Gallagher, the five-year-old was
a game second in the Las Palmas H. (G2) last October and a solid second in the
Monrovia H. (G3) in her yearly debut, but the bay has also mixed in a few less-than-stellar efforts this campaign. We’re guessing that this will be one of the
late runner’s good days under Alex Solis.

KRIS’ SIS (Forestry) looked good in taking the Osunitas H. in
preparation for this and is a viable contender to finish in the top three.
Trained by Julio Canani, the well-bred four-year-old is perfect from two tries
over this oval and distance, and has posted four maintenance drills in advance
of this start. The presence of Michael Baze is a plus, and if the top pair fail
to fire, the dark bay has every chance in here.

There is a significant drop in talent following the top four, with the
exception of wildcard BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), who could be any
type. The John Sadler import looked good beating first-level allowance foes in
her U.S. debut on August 5, and
is the only one of the remaining entrants who has a solid chance at a top-three
placing. Tyler Baze has the assignment.

DREAM’S (Chi) (Sam M.) has a nice late move that often gets her a share, but
we don’t envision the six-year-old doing more than picking up the pieces for
trainer Ron McAnally. ANDREA (NZ) (Danasinga) has not impressed nor bottomed
out, but her prep for this left something to be desired. The chestnut does
produce useful efforts occasionally, so we’ll give her an outside exotics
chance.

BRANCA COMO NEVE (Brz) (Ski Champ) was defeated by two runners in a second-level allowance/optional
claiming event and should find the sledding even more difficult in here. SHERMEEN (Ire) (Desert Style) has some early zip and exits a stakes win, but
will need a career best to reach the top four. I CAN SEE (Flying Chevron) drew
the widest post and has never threatened anything this good. We don’t expect
much in here.