Santa Ana Park Best of the Bad

Looking at the past performances of the seven horses involved in the third race at Santa Anita today, it is hard to believe that the race, a nine-furlong affair for $25,000 older maidens, will have a winner.

Runaway Kidd, Two K Mambo, Rio Diazo, Santa Ana Park, Evening Majesty, Price Of Syn and Thunder Twice have combined for 100 defeats. They have managed nine second-place finishes and 10 thirds.

Based on recent efforts, Santa Ana Park appears the right horse. A 3-year-old son of Flying Continental, he has been second in his last two starts. However, both races were at Fairplex Park, so there is no guarantee he will run the same way in Arcadia.

Runaway Kidd, a 6-year-old gelding, is the leading money earner in the field with $34,640, but he has also suffered the most losses. The son of Runaway Groom has been beaten 33 times--19 on dirt and 14 on turf.

Perhaps, it might be best to go with the highest-percentage trainer in the race. John Sadler, who has 3-1 second choice Two K Mambo, is hitting at about 17% in 2001 with some 50 winners. The other six trainers have combined to win 10 races this year.

Race of the day: The main event is the $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Sr. Handicap at one mile on turf. Restricted to 3-year-old fillies, the Ramser drew 10 entrants. The 5-2 morning line choice is Love Roi, an Italian-bred who has won seven of 13 racing in her native land and France. Now trained by Wally Dollase, she has trained well enough for her American debut. Other contenders include Gabriellina Giof, Cindy’s Hero, who is seeking her first win since the 2000 Del Mar Debutante, Covincing and Grindstone Lassie.

Who’s hot: Jerry Bailey. The country’s runaway leader among jockeys in terms of earnings, he is winning at around a 30% clip at Belmont Park as he gets ready for the Breeders’ Cup.

Who’s not: The field for today’s sixth at the Fresno Fair. The 16 maidens entered are a combined 0 for 133.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Roam Free and Royally Chosen in the fourth, Game Ploy, Rhapsodist, Dolfikar and Dunhill in the fifth and singling Plum Good Day in the sixth.