SANTA ANITA : Brown Bess Leads Handicap Lineup

Eclipse Award winner Brown Bess jogged at Santa Anita Wednesday morning in preparation for the $200,000-added Grade I Santa Barbara Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on the turf Saturday.

The 8-year-old mare was shipped south with exercise rider Victor Trujillo in from Golden Gate Fields on Tuesday by trainer Chuck Jenda.

Brown Bess, who finished third in the Santa Ana Handicap March 11 in a three-way photo in her season debut, worked a mile in 1:39 and change over the weekend at Golden Gate. She clinched the Eclipse last year with a victory in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes during the Oak Tree meeting over the Santa Barbara distance of 10 furlongs on the turf.

A lineup of six is probable: Brown Bess, Jack Kaenel, 123 pounds; Royal Touch, Russell Baze, 121; Saros Brig, Pat Valenzuela, 116; Estrella Fuega, Eddie Delahoussaye, 113; Isabella Ra, Chris McCarron, 112, and Double Wedge, Robbie Davis, 111.

Royal Touch, a 5-year-old mare who joined the Charlie Whittingham stable this winter, finished second in the Santa Ana despite a troubled trip. Saros Brig captured the grassy Buena Vista Handicap in her last start on Feb. 25.

Ruhlmann, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap in his last start, will defend San Bernardino Handicap honors Sunday at Santa Anita in the $400,000-added Grade II test at 1 1/8 miles. The 5-year-old son of Mr. Leader will carry 123 pounds, two more than in the Big ‘Cap, and again be ridden by Gary Stevens.

A six- or seven-horse lineup is shaping up. Considered definite are Ruhlmann, Stevens, 123; Lively One, Robbie Davis, 121; Criminal Type, Laffit Pincay Jr., 119; Payant, no rider selected, 116; Annual Date, Eddie Delahoussaye, 112, and Stylish Winner, Corey Black, 112.

Another possibility is Quiet American, 114 pounds.

Millionaires Ruhlmann and Lively One finished 1-2 in the San Bernardino last year for Whittingham, who also will saddle Payant. Criminal Type, runner-up in the Big ‘Cap and winner of the San Antonio and San Pasqual Handicaps, regains Pincay.

NOTES: Multiple stakes winner Present Value, fourth in the Gulfstream Park Handicap Saturday, came out of the race with heat in his right ankle. “It filled up, but I don’t think it’s broken,” trainer Jerry Fanning said Wednesday. “He’ll come back here this weekend, and we’ll have it X-rayed.” He also said that Pleasant Variety is near a breeze for a return to the races this spring, and that Akinemod would be rested until June.

Trainer Bobby Frankel said Pampered Star, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks Sunday, would be pointed toward the Kentucky Oaks May 4.

Apprentice jockey Curtis Kinmes is ready to ride again after suffering a leg injury when thrown going to the post Saturday.