AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
| MORVICH H.
(G3), 6TH-OSA, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 6.5FT, 11:45 P.M. PDT, 10-27 |
|
| 1 |
MCCANN’S MOJAVE, 7, h, by Memo (Chi)Joni U. Bar, by Nordic Prince O-Mike Willman; B-Alix Nikki Hunt & Mike Willman (Ca) |
| 2 |
RELATO DEL GATO, 6, h, by Tale of the CatSole, by Topsider O-Robert D Bone; B-Cypress Farms 1991 (Ky) |
| 3 |
BECRUX (ITY), 5, G, by Glen JordanRebecca Parisi, by Persian Heights O-Team Valor International & Gary Barber; B-Sc Siba Spa (Ity) |
| 4 |
WARRIOR SONG, 5, h, by Unbridled’s SongLa Gueriere, by Lord At War (Arg) O-Blahut Stb LLC or Kagele Bros Inc; B-Wimborne Farm Inc. (Ky) |
| 5 |
WORCHESTER (GB), 4, c, by Spinning WorldSea Vixen, by Machiavellian O-Michael Bello; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB) |
| 6 |
GET FUNKY, 4, c, by Straight ManMiss Popularity, by Storm Bird O-Keith Abrahams; B-Stewart Larry (Fl) |
| 7 |
NIGHT CHAPTER (GB), 6, h, by Night ShiftContext, by Zafonic O-Diamond Pride LLC & Frankel; B-Juddmonte Farms (GB) |
| 8 |
HEATSEEKER (IRE), 4, c, by Giant’s CausewayRusty Back, by Defensive Play O-William de Burgh; B-Richard F Barnes (Ire) |
| 9 |
SPECALIST MORGEN J, 4, G, by Polish NumbersMusical Bride, by Wavering Monarch O-Tommy Hutton Dream Stable LLC or Ingordo; B-Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman & Quin Bowman (Md) |
| 10 |
CATECLIPSE (AUS), 6, G, by CatbirdShadyside, by Vice Regal O-Doubledown Stables Inc; B-Mr J T Morrissey & Mrs G R Morrissey (Aus) |
| 11 |
CLINET (IRE), 5, m, by DocksiderOiche Mhaith, by Night Shift O-Wood Hall Stud; B-Mrs J Costelloe (Ire) |
Eleven turf sprinters will line up for Saturday’s $100,000 Morvich H. (G3) at
Oak Tree, and NIGHT CHAPTER (GB) (Night Shift) could take this one for trainer Bobby Frankel.
The six-year-old bay has scored in his past
three starts, all stakes, including the Blue Jay Way S. and Daytona H. in his
last two, both going this about 6 1/2-furlong distance on the downhill turf. The veteran
runner loves this course and distance, and will be tough to deny late under
Tyler Baze.
RELATO DEL GATO (Tale of the Cat) could
challenge for it all in first turf attempt since switching to Jeff Mullins two
back. The dark bay has been on a roll of late,
winning five and recording three close seconds in his last eight starts. Last
time out, he just missed in the Pirate’s Bounty H. on Del Mar’s Polytrack, and the six-year-old earned a stellar 106 BRIS Speed rating for his
allowance/optional claiming win prior to that. Agapito Delgadillo will be
aboard.
CLINET (Ire) (Docksider) has turned in good efforts on this unique course,
finishing second in the Monrovia H. (G3) on New Year’s Day and a close, but
troubled, fifth in the Sen. Ken Maddy H. (G3) last time out. The Paddy
Gallagher-trained mare will be challenging late with Fernando Jara
holding the reins.
WARRIOR SONG (Unbridled’s Song) is the likely speed on Saturday and could
lead all the way to the finish. The five-year-old chestnut has been caught late
in his past three races at longer distances and could use the cutback here to
finally return to the winner’s circle. Jon Court has pilot duties. GET FUNKY
(Straight Man) earned his last win going this distance, and just missed by three
parts of a length in the Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) two back. He could
also use the cutback here to good effect. Martin Garcia has the call.
BECRUX (Ity) (Glen Jordan) is a top contender going longer and might find
about 6 1/2 furlongs too short. Nonetheless, he could challenge in the exotics
on class alone. HEATSEEKER (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) just missed by a head in his
only try at this course and distance and could find a place for himself in the gimmicks.
MCCANN’S MOJAVE (Memo [Chi]) will be returning from a four-month layoff, but might grab part.
We’ll give Australian import CATECLIPSE (Aus) (Catbird) a race stateside
before backing. WORCHESTER (GB) (Spinning World) and SPECALIST MORGEN J (Polish
Numbers) could find themselves out of their class against these.