Best Race Is in the East

While Del Mar offers the San Clemente Handicap, a turf race without a single graded stakes winner among its nine entrants, Saratoga’s main event could be the race of the year.

Street Cry, arguably the best horse in the country now that Mizzen Mast is sidelined for the rest of 2002, heads a field of six quality older horses in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap at 1 1/8 miles.

Best known in his younger days as a colt who had trouble closing the deal--he finished second in five of his first eight starts--Street Cry has become a machine at 4. He has won all three of his starts this year by a combined 19 1/4 lengths, including a romp in the $6-million Dubai World Cup and an easy score in Churchill Downs’ Stephen Foster Handicap in June.

The 123-pound highweight and 4-5 morning-line choice, Street Cry will be ridden by Jerry Bailey, who has won the Grade I four times.

If Street Cry is to be beaten, the most likely candidates are defending champion Lido Palace and Macho Uno. Left Bank’s chances were compromised when the speedy longshot Saint Verre was entered. The other Whitney entrant is Unshaded.

Lido Palace, who outfinished Albert The Great and Gander to win last year’s Whitney, should improve after finishing second in the Suburban Handicap last month at Belmont Park.

Macho Uno, the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion and third in the Suburban, has a new rider in Pat Day.

Race of the day: The ninth at Del Mar is a contentious optional claimer that attracted a full field of 12.

Who’s hot: Boeagle A. The 6-year-old Arabian gelding will try for his fourth win in a row and 23rd in 45 starts in today’s $10,000 Santa Rosa Arabian Handicap at six furlongs.

Who’s not: Kevin Krigger. The apprentice jockey got off to an 0-for-22 start at Del Mar.

Exotically speaking: A sixth-race trifecta keying Max Power on top with Mythical Flyer, The Denver Dream, Calcupbound and Swim Away in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 2/13. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14/$91. Total money bet: $136.