Photo by: Benoit

Trainer Doug O'Neill Jockey Corey Nakatani Owner J. Paul Reddam Breeder Vessels Stallion Farm LLC (Cal) Recent Race History Date Race Finish 11.18.06 Hollywood Prevue (GIII) 3rd 10.21.06 Maiden Sp Wt @ Santa Anita 1st

Starter Analysis

NOTIONAL debuted in a sensational manner at Santa Anita last month, winning in a stellar 1:09 at nearly 12-1. Understandably, he bounced a bit in the Hollywood Prevue (GIII). With only two starts, he's one of the least experienced in the field and still needs to learn to harness his speed. Fortunately for him, there are a couple of others, including his stablemate Liquidity, that can go to the front. With only one work, a bullet six furlongs last Friday, since the Prevue, he should have plenty of energy come Saturday. This is also his first two-turn start, and it's anybody's guess as to how he will handle the stretchout. Obviously well regarded since his sale at Barrett for $235,000 earlier this year, connections probably are expecting a big effort here. Tactical trip just behind the leaders makes him a contender as long as he takes to the longer distance.

Pedigree Analysis :: Bay colt, 2; by In Excess (Ire) - Truly Blessed (French Deputy)

NOTIONAL is by In Excess (IRE), California's leading sire by earnings, stakes winners and stakes wins. His stakes winners include Musical Chimes, Indiana Derby (GIII) winner Excessivepleasure, as well as Icantgoforthat, Tulsa, Just Too Too, Excess Summer and Valentine's Dancer. He is also the sire of graded stakes winners Indian Charlie, Romanceishope, Icecoldbeeratreds and Above Perfection. In his racing career, In Excess won 11 of 25 starts, including the Metropolitan Handicap, Woodward Stakes and Whitney Handicap, all Grade One events. Notional is the lone runner from his dam Truly Blessed, who has one other foal of racing age. Truly Blessed raced but four times, with a win and a second to her credit. Truly Blessed is by French Deputy, winner of the Jerome Handicap (GII) at three. French Deputy is a half-brother to Hollywood Starlet (GI) runner-up Princess Mitterand. Truly Blessed has quite a few siblings that were winners, including a pair of stakes placed runners. The group is a mixed bag of sprinters and routers, and as might be expected, their preferred distance is a reflection of their sires’ tendencies.