Got A Notional

- The Hollywood Futurity, the Grade 1 for the boys at Hollywood on Saturday, has a rather intriguing field. Principle Secret (Sea of Secrets) and Stormello (Stormy Atlantic) battled it out in the Norfolk; despite the fact that the latter won, Principle Secret was the one who had a lot of support going into the Juvenile. The theory was that he would revert to the rating tactics he'd used in winning the Best Pal. But he was dead on the board for the Juvenile, and sure enough, he battled for the lead again, and against Stormello, who himself was abandoning rating tactics he used to win the Norfolk.

It's hard to evaluate each coming off that race. It's quite possible that the grueling Norfolk caused them both to bounce in the Juvenile. It's also possible that they'll hook up on the front end again. Sometimes you see horses that may have rated in sprints, but once they stretch out, their natural speed takes over and they end up on the lead consistently. Principle Secret may be one of those horses, and besides, there's no one else who has shown much early speed with the exception of Stormello, who gets the better of the draw. I'm not really feeling enthusiastic about either.

The other two who look like main contenders are both stetching out from seven furlongs and trying two turns for the first time. Belgravia (Mr. Greeley) is two-for-two for Biancone, both on synthetic tracks. Out of a mare by Stalwart, he hails from the distaff family of Afleet Alex, whose third dam is the same as the second dam of Belgravia. In the Hollywood Prevue, and as he did in his debut at Keeneland, this $2 million two-year old purchse unleashed an impressive wide rally after sitting midpack. He looked home free at the eighth pole in the Prevue, but Dilemma, who I'd probably really like if he was in this race, was absolutely flying from way back, and it was a miracle, only the luck of the bob that Belgravia earned the win. Biancone/Leparoux are having a slow meeting out there, and the ten post doesn't help. Add in the stretch out, and he seems like a poor investment at his 5-2 morning line.

Notional (In Excess) had a great debut, putting in a big move on the turn and sustaining it late for a 2 1/2 length win and a field high 105 Beyer. He was beaten by Belgravia in the Prevue, fading to third, but draws well here and had an extremely sharp six furlong workout for this race. His dam, by French Deputy, is a half to the dam of the Argentine champ, and G1 Santa Maria winner Lovellon.

Amongst the others, the most interesting to me seems like Silent Soul; he's shown some nice improvement in his last two, and though the last was on grass, that may mean he'll like the Cushion Track.

So what do we have here? Belgravia looks scary on paper, but has a bad post, stretches out, and figures to be overbet. Stormello and Principle Secret are uninspiring coming off the Juvenile and may battle early again. Notional was highly impressive in his first race, was beaten by Belgravia last time, but looks worth a shot if he is indeed the 4th betting choice, as on the morning line.

- Just Zip It will not run on Sunday. Trainer Bill Turner wants to give her more time, as she'll be stepping up to maiden specials and trying two turns. There's a mile and 70 yard race in the book for January 4. Highland Cat is expected back at Belmont next week.