Martin Excels at Fair

When trainer John Martin runs a horse at Sacramento, bettors had best pay attention.

During the last two years at the California State Fair meet, Martin has won with eight of 10 starters. And the horses that lost each finished second.

Martin will have runners in three of the 10 races on today’s card -- Our Magistrate and El Gran Patagon in the fourth, Fenway Flyer in the eighth and Dianas Welcome in the ninth.

Our Magistrate has the best chance of success. A winner of 10 of 31, Our Magistrate is fresh off a 2 1/2 -length win against $8,000 claimers Aug. 12 at Bay Meadows. He’s stepping up to the $12,500 level today and will be ridden for the first time by jockey David Lopez.

El Gran Patagon, meanwhile, is coming off a lackluster effort, Fenway Flyer has yet to hit the board in four starts and Dianas Welcome has one win in 14 starts.

Race of the day: Belleski, who had a troubled trip as the even-money favorite in her comeback race July 30, will stretch out to a mile on the turf in today’s seventh at Del Mar. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $143,682.

One for the road: Elusive Smile will try New York-breds for the first time in her career and has little to topple in today’s ninth at Saratoga. Pat Day will ride the 3-year-old Elusive Quality filly for trainer Phil Gleaves in the $42,000 contest at a mile on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Loren V. and Proud General in the second, Haint You Grand in the third and Far From Frail, Sheer Excess and Finally Blonde in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/79. Money: Previous day/meet total: $5.20/$421.60. Total money bet: $528.