Mitchell Goes Coast to Coast

Trainer Mike Mitchell, who has stables in California and Florida, has horses going at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park today.

Locally, Mitchell will send out Fail Me Not in the sixth and recent winner Minnie The Moocher in the seventh. Both races are part of a pick six with a carry-over of $102,706. At Gulfstream, the trainer is scheduled to start Primitive Man and Iron Wall in the fifth and class-dropper Trident House in the ninth.

A 6-year-old son of Handsome Halo, Fail Me Not will be looking for his third victory at Santa Anita in the $56,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles. Pat Valenzuela will ride the Argentine-bred, who was fourth in his first start of 2005 on Jan. 23.

Minnie The Moocher, claimed by Mitchell for owner Thunder Racing Stable for $40,000 on Oct. 23, won by three lengths as the 7-5 favorite last month. Valenzuela is back aboard today in a $48,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

Primitive Man, overmatched in the Sunshine Millions Dash on Jan. 29, is back in a claimer and reunited with jockey Jerry Bailey, who was aboard for his nine-length maiden win at Gulfstream on Jan. 7. Iron Wall beat $60,000 claimers on Jan. 23.

Seventh as the 2-1 favorite in his first for Mitchell on Jan. 27, Trident House, who was claimed for $50,000 on Jan. 3, will race for $25,000 in the ninth at one mile. Bailey again will ride the 5-year-old A.P. Indy gelding.

Race of the day: Sand Springs, a stakes-winning daughter of Dynaformer, will make her first start since Sept. 25 and first for trainer Bill Mott in the eighth at Gulfstream. Bailey will ride the six-time winner for owner Ben Sangster in the $46,000 allowance at one mile on turf.

One for the road: Goodenuff For Gary debuts in a soft spot in the first at Bay Meadows for trainer Lloyd Mason, who has a good long-term record with first-time starters.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Valid Again in the third, Beau, Wayward Storm and So Red in the fourth and West Coast Gee Gee, Darlin Corey and Freetouch in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/90. Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.40/$483. Total money bet: $578.