Santa Ynez

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of six sophomore fillies will vie in Saturday’s $150,000
Santa Ynez S. (G2) at Santa Anita. While others perhaps make more sense, SWITCH
(Quiet American) impressed us so much in her debut that we’re giving the John
Sadler pupil top billing in here. A $150,000 yearling purchase in 2008, the
talented Kentucky-bred made her debut in mid-December and dusted a compact field
in fine fashion, drawing off under confident handling late. The prospect is
facing a solid group and is light on seasoning, but she surely wants to run at
least this far, she drew well on the outside and could see a swift pace in front
of her early which could aid her late run. Rafael Bejarano takes the call.

SHE’S FUNOMENAL (Fusaichi Pegasus) could be just that after stylishly taking
both lifetime tries for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, both going short at
Hollywood Park. An earner of respectable 93 and 91 BRIS Speed ratings, the Kentucky-bred is cut out to handle a trip of this nature and
has excellent positional speed, so the race may be hers to lose turning for
home. Joel Rosario sticks aboard the bay, who should be in the mix throughout.

Dual Grade 1-placed AMEN HALLELUJAH (Montbrook) has faced better top-class
rivals in her last two starts, recording thirds in the Hollywood Starlet (G1)
and Alcibiades (G1), and is likely to go off favored against this cast, but
we’ll try to upend her for the top spot. Conditioned by Richard Dutrow, the
Florida-bred is still a question mark to us beyond a sprint distance and could
get a bit leg weary late beneath Chantal Sutherland. We’ll still use the
talented miss in the top three.

FANNY FREUD (Freud) is of interest in here due to her fine exploits on
synthetic ovals for John Terranova. The three-time stakes vixen failed in the
Frizette S. (G1), which was her first run against open foes and also her initial
attempt beyond six panels, but her proven form on synthetics combined with her
natural early foot makes her interesting in this one. If the field leaves her
and Garret Gomez alone early, she could be in front for a while at a square
price.

Two-time stakes-placed WHISPERING HUSH (El Corredor) clearly has ability, and
while her career has been either against California-bred runners or on the lawn,
we won’t be surprised if she’s competitive in this affair. The chestnut lass was a useful
fifth in the Miesque S. (G3) most recently and has trained well since, so
consider her for the bottom of the exotics with Mike Smith. SERIOUSLY (Gulch) wants to run long and has earned solid BRIS Late Pace
numbers in her last pair, but we’re not sure if she’s quick enough for this
field at this juncture for Bob Baffert.