By Rick Harris

As with the adage that anyone can grow up to become President, in Saturday's American Handicap, at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, anyone of the six entrants would not be a surprise if they end up winning it. The race sets up with two front runners and four off the pace or deep closer types.  The front runners are Monterey Jazz and Storm Military and the closers are Whatsthescript, Artiste Royal, Giant Gem and Buenos Dias.

How fast early the front runners go will set the tone late for this Grade II event.  Since both frontrunners want the lead, it will be interesting to see if they cooperate each other and be able to slow down the pace or battle each other into oblivion because neither will allow the other an advantage.  The proven graded closer is Whatsthescript.  He returned from a layoff since November with a solid effort in the Shoemaker Mile, finishing right with Storm Military.  Trainer John Sadler has pumped a bullet and near bullet work into this one after that race and has this one primed for a top effort today.

Artiste Royal is a quality runner from the Neil Drysdale barn that is capable of producing a huge effort on any day.  The other two runners, Giant Gem and Buenos Dias are improving four year olds who get a chance to prove if they are capable of moving up to the graded ranks.

Summing it all up: Monterey Jazz is the peaking frontrunner and Whatsthescript is the peaking closer.  Storm Military comes from the Bobby Frankel shedrow which has produced only one win out of 31 starts at this Hollywood Park meet.  Artiste Royal will need a suicide pace by the front runners to assist in his late closing charge and Giant Gem and Buenos Dias will find out if they belong with this group.

In conclusion, the final script for the American Handicap should be titled Whatsthescript.

Have a great holiday weekend!

By Rick Harris – calhorse.com