Vernon Underwood preview

Saturday, December 2, 2006
Hollywood Park - Race 8
6 Furlongs (Cushion Track)
Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (Grade 3)
3-year-olds and upward
Purse $100,000

SIREN LURE projects for a clean outside stalking trip behind a fast pace, and the Grade 1 winner may have been aiming too high when trying the Breeders' Cup Sprint off a 76 day layoff. He should be sharper for his second start since winning the Pat O' Brien on Pacific Classic day, and he's won the last two times he's attempted the "second off the layoff" move. The 110 Beyer Speed Figure that he earned in the O'Brien is better than anything his opponents have ever run, and he should be rolling in the stretch. TURNBOLT has been plagued by layoffs throughout his career, but he's capable of a triple-digit Beyer on his best day, and the 2005 Underwood runner-up may get the jump on the top pick turning for home. Expect Nakatani to revert to stalking tactics on his mount. SAILORS SUNSET figures to be gunning from the inside post, but he was beaten a combined 33 lengths in his two previous graded stakes tries, and he figures to face early pressure from PREMIUM SALTINE. ZANZIBAR has plenty of excuses for his recent defeat. It was his first start in 364 days, he faced the two best sprinters in California, and attempted to buck a speed-favoring surface. He should certainly move forward with that race under his belt. Popular DECLAN'S MOON only shows two races since March 5, 2005, and hasn't been out since being smacked by Siren Lure in the O'Brien. He'll take money again based on his reputation, but is no faster now than he was when he was chewing up the competition here as a 2-year-old.

Selections: 1. Siren Lure 2. Turnbolt 3. Sailors Sunset