AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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LA JOLLA H. (G2), 9TH-DMR, $150,000, 3YO, 1 1/16MT, 6:00 P.M. PDT, 8-9 |
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| 1 |
TANGLED TANGO, 3, c, by PetionvilleOut of Step, by Affirmed O-Everest Stables Inc; B-Everest Stables, Inc. (Ky) |
| 2 |
CORONEL MOLDES, 3, c, by RepentDead Ender, by Ends Well O-Newmarket Tr LLC Lyons Margolis et al; B-Mr. & Mrs. Marty Hershe (Fl) |
| 3 |
JUNGLE WAVE, 3, G, by Hold That TigerDarien Blue Wave, by Cure the Blues O-Hollendorfer & Peter Redekop B C Ltd.; B-Katalpa Farm & Dr. Rodney Orr (Ky) |
| 4 |
TIZ WEST, 3, c, by Gone WestTizso, by Cee’s Tizzy O-Diamond A Racing Corp; B-Diamond A Racing Corporation (Ky) |
| 5 |
NOWNOWNOW, 3, c, by WhywhywhyHere and Now (Fr), by Exit to Nowhere O-Fab Oak Stable LLC; B-Fab Oak Stable (Ky) |
| 6 |
SKY CAPE, 3, c, by NajranSkyscape, by Marquetry O-Taub & Visionary Racing LLC; B-Kristin Mulhall (Ky) |
| 7 |
MORAL COMPASS, 3, c, by Grand SlamAffair With Aflair, by Well Decorated O-La Canada Stables LLC; B-Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate Inc. (Ky) |
| 8 |
ZETTERBERG, 3, c, by El CorredorMorning Meadow, by Meadowlake O-J Paul Reddam; B-J. Paul Reddam (Ky) |
| 9 |
MADEO, 3, c, by Mizzen MastPassion Flower, by Deputy Minister O-Mr & Mrs J S Moss; B-Jerome & Anne Moss (Ky) |
| 10 |
LIBERIAN FREIGHTER, 3, G, by BertrandoAnachristina, by Slewpy O-Dugan Est of Nahem & Winner; B-King Edward Racing Stable (Ca) |
Saturday’s $150,000 La Jolla H. (G2) will feature 10 sophomores going 8 1/2
grassy furlongs at Del Mar, and Cinema H. (G3) winner TIZ WEST (Gone West) will be seeking
his second straight stakes win. He’s captured three of four since being switched
to the turf by trainer Richard Mandella, and the bay Kentucky-bred displayed
plenty of heart last time, gamely withstanding a furious three-horse finish to
win by a nose. The improving colt should benefit from that experience, and we’ll
look for him to keep moving forward with a victory here.
TANGLED TANGO (Petionville) finished strongly in the second division of the
Oceanside, making up a lot of ground in the stretch to miss by 1 1/4 lengths in
third, and we respect his chances in his graded debut. Trained by the
ever-dangerous Julio Canani, Tangled Tango broke from post 9 last time, but he’s
much more advantageously positioned in the innermost post on Saturday. Look for
jockey Tyler Baze to save ground during the early stages, and Tangled Tango is a
serious threat to get involved late.
JUNGLE WAVE (Hold That Tiger) will show speed from post 3 and could last a
long way under Joseph Talamo. He exits a commendable third in the first division
of the Oceanside, missing by only a half-length, and gained valuable seasoning
in his first start versus stakes rivals. The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained gelding
could continue to show more.
MORAL COMPASS (Grand Slam) is another one to consider for the exotics.
Formerly trained on the East Coast by Barclay Tagg, he gave a fine account of
himself when making his California bow last time for Jack Carava. The dark bay
colt figures to sit a good stalking trip under Corey Nakatani, and he owns a
solid finishing kick.
LIBERIAN FIGHTER (Bertrando) had the advantage of an inside post last time in
the second division of the Oceanside, but he must deal with the far outside gate
on Saturday. The Neil Drysdale-trained gelding has the qualifications to
challenge for a minor award, finishing third in his last two starts versus
stakes rivals, but he could find himself compromised by the bad post. SKY CAPE (Najran)
owns a nice 7-3-3-0 mark on the turf, but we’re not convinced 8 1/2 furlongs is
his best distance despite his victory at Golden Gate Fields last time. We’ll go
against the honest Kristin Mulhall runner.
NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) was sent to Europe after winning the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Turf, but that decision didn’t pay any dividends as the bay colt
performed terribly in his lone 2008 appearance. That race came against much
better company, but the bay colt probably didn’t get a whole lot out of his
last-place effort. His connections could’ve picked any easier spot for his
return, and we doubt he’ll be sharp enough to challenge here.
CORONEL MOLDES (Repent) wasn’t much of a factor when making his U.S. debut in
the first division of the Oceanside, and we’ll give him at least one more start
stateside before backing. MADEO (Mizzen Mast) was no factor when finishing
fourth in the Swaps S. (G2) over the Cushion Track last time, and we can’t find
any reason to recommend his chances in his turf bow. ZETTERBERG (El Corredor)
broke his maiden two starts back sprinting on the grass and appears overmatched
against these rivals.