Best Pal Favored Again in Today’s San Antonio

Beaten as the odds-on favorite in the San Pasqual Handicap three weeks ago, Best Pal is the 5-2 favorite today in the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap, the final prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 11.

Set back a bit in his training schedule because of the January rains, the 7-year-old gelding finished fourth, 3 1/4 lengths behind Del Mar Dennis, in the San Pasqual.

The pace figures to be faster in the San Antonio, and Best Pal completed his preparation for the 1 1/8-mile race with a 57 4/5 five-furlong workout on Tuesday.

Del Mar Dennis, the 3-1 second choice, has won five of his six starts on the Santa Anita main track, including two in a row since returning from a five-month layoff.

The rest of the field includes Slew Of Damascus, Cardmania, Nonproductiveasset, Kingdom Found, Screaming Don, Nancys French Fry, Marvin’s Faith and Tossofthecoin. Lottery Winner was scratched Saturday.