Big Field for Burke Handicap

With the Breeders’ Cup now history, horse racing trudges on with a nine-race card at Santa Anita that features four races with 10 or more entrants.

The day’s feature, the $150,000 Carleton F. Burke Handicap at 11/2 miles on the turf, is one of the races that drew a large field. Ten are scheduled to start, topped by 2-1 favorite Northern Quest, 5-2 second choice Cagney, the Darrell Vienna-trained entry Kerrygold, Monsajem and Sign Of Hope.

Northern Quest, a 6-year-old son of Rainbow Quest trained by Bobby Frankel, will be seeking his first win since taking the Golden Gate Handicap in March. Since then, he has lost three times, but had top-three finishes in the Sunset and Del Mar handicaps.

He has two wins at the Burke distance and he has won for jockey Chris McCarron.

Cagney has been worse than third only once in his last four races for trainer Richard Mandella, and while he has never attempted 11/2 miles, he did win going 11 furlongs at Del Mar.

Kerrygold, who disappointed at 5-2 in the Henry P. Russell earlier in the month, is the likely pacesetter today while Sign Of Hope prepped in the Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Handicap last month, finishing third behind Super Quercus and Most Likely.

Races to watch: There are two interesting maiden races, one for older runners on the turf and the other for 2-year-olds on the dirt. Contenders in the second, at 11/8 miles on the grass, are French Rebel, Cosmipolitan and The Tin Man, and the sixth features fast-workers Clay Time, Sweepingly, Diamond Hope and Tell Them Nothing.

Who’s hot: Sure Shot Biscuit. The 5-year-old Iowa-bred has won seven of 11 this year and 23 of 39 in his career entering today’s $100,000-added Ack Ack Handicap, the opening-day feature at Churchill Downs.

Who’s not: The field in today’s first race. The seven horses are a combined four for 58 in 2001.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Fun House and Untamed Beauty in the fourth, Fin Lady and Romantic Won in the fifth and Clay Time, Diamond Hope and Sweepingly in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 6/72. Money: previous day/meet total: $41.20/$422.20. Total money bet: $440.