American H.

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

DAYTONA (Ire) (Indian Ridge) must shoulder the top weight of 123 pounds in
Saturday’s American H. (G2) at Hollywood Park, conceding his opponents between
five and 10 pounds, but even that probably isn’t enough to derail the Southern
California turf star. The Dan Hendricks charge is a veritable win machine,
having captured six of his last seven starts, including the Shoemaker Mile (G1)
over this course last time out. Whether Daytona winds up being the controlling
speed or not, the chestnut will secure an advantageous forward position before
kicking for home in this grassy 1 1/8-mile affair, and he should dismiss these
with anything approaching his usual effort. Regular rider Alex Solis will be
back aboard the certain favorite.

HEROI DO BAFRA (Brz) (Royal Academy) could offer a bit of value by completing
the exacta. One of an uncoupled pair from the Bobby Frankel barn, the multiple
Brazilian Group 1 winner has compiled a consistent mark of 9-1-5-1 mark in North
America, with that lone victory coming in a recent allowance. Two back, the dark
bay was just beaten a half-length in the Inglewood H. (G3) after a tough stretch
battle with the talented El Roblar (War Chant). Heroi do Bafra will come
charging late beneath a returning Aaron Gryder, for whom he appears to run his
best.

HYPERBARIC (Sky Classic) came within a neck of upsetting Daytona in the
Arcadia H. (G2) two starts back, but he never got closer than 1 3/4 lengths when
checking in third in the Shoemaker. The Julio Canani trainee will be stepping up
to nine furlongs for the first time. His pedigree suggests that could help his
chances, as will the presence of Garrett Gomez in the saddle.

WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), a highly promising turf sophomore
last season before going to the sidelines, has some upset potential in his first
outing for John Sadler. The bay has raced only once in the past 13 months,
folding tamely to bring up the rear in the Sir Beaufort S. (G3) in December and
earning another lengthy spell on the shelf. Whatsthescript has been training
sharply for his new conditioner, however, and we wouldn’t be surprised if he
turns in a strong effort. 

Although BECRUX (Ity) (Glen Jordan) is suspect at both the course and
distance, the hero of the 2006 Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) still merits consideration
in his seasonal reappearance for Neil Drysdale. The classy bay has not raced
since last November, when he closed to finish a creditable eighth, beaten all of
4 3/4 lengths, in the ultra-competitive Mile Championship (Jpn-G1) at Kyoto. In
the 2007 American, Becrux reported home fourth after being rank early, and he
can improve on that performance if he relaxes better this time.

WORLDLY (GB) (Selkirk) put together a solid sophomore campaign last year,
while being a cut below both Daytona and Medici Code (GB) (Medicean). The gray
gelding captured the 2007 Cinema H. (G3) at this track and trip, but would need
to improve to crack the top three in his four-year-old debut. Argentinean
champion STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein), who was just caught in the Dallas
Turf Cup H. (G3) in his latest venture, has been a frustrating sort to follow in
North America. The Frankel pupil has looked brilliant a couple of times, only to
be found wanting in better company, such as his well-beaten fourth behind
Daytona in the San Gabriel H. (G2) over the winter. We prefer to oppose him
here, especially considering that Gomez has jumped ship to Hyperbaric.

ALBERTUS MAXIMUS (Albert the Great) has not chosen the easiest spot for a
turf experiment.