A Level Field on the Turf

The final Friday with a 4 p.m. post time has an interesting feature event. The Harry F. Brubaker Handicap brings together nine fairly well-matched turf specialists at 1 1/16 miles. One who won’t be running is defending champion Auction House. A gate-to-wire winner last year at 19-10, the 5-year-old Exbourne horse was scratched Thursday morning by trainer Bobby Frankel. The 3-1 favorite in the restricted stakes is Quianlong, a recent $100,000 claim by trainer Bob Hess Jr. for owner Jay Manoogian. A 6-year-old Zilzal horse who had begun his career in Europe before joining Frankel’s stable, Quianlong has won two of four on the Del Mar turf course and is one of the most consistent horses in training. Since the start of 2000, he has not been worse than third in 12 starts and has won on five occasions. I’ve Decided, who has won two of three this year for Wally Dollase, is the 7-2 second choice. The scratch of Auction House could help I’ve Decided, a gelded son of Bertrando who will try to lead all the way.

Race of the day: Two races before the Brubaker, nine sprinters will get together in an optional claimer at six furlongs. Morning line maker Jeff Tufts certainly sees the field as well-matched. He made Love All The Way the lukewarm 7-2 choice and the longest shot in the field is Martel at 12-1. Trained by Hess, Love All The Way has won 10 of 35 in his career and should improve off his comeback effort. He finished third on July 28 when given a ride that was exactly the opposite of how he likes to be ridden. The gelding is much better from off the pace and his last three wins have come with Corey Nakatani, who will be back aboard this afternoon.

Who’s hot: Victor Espinoza. The jockey won three times Wednesday and didn’t even have to work to get his third victory. Officer remained unbeaten in three starts in the Best Pal Stakes and still hasn’t had to be asked for anything close to his best.

Who’s not: Distinction. A $4.2-million yearling purchase by trainer Wayne Lukas for the Fog City Stable, the 2-year-old son of Seattle Slew finished next-to-last as the 6-5 favorite in his second career start at Saratoga on Thursday. This came two months after his fifth-place finish at 7-10 at Hollywood Park. So far, $4.2 million has gotten his owner $840 in purse earnings.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Love All The Way and Impressive Grades in the fifth, Paka Tah, Valiant Victory and Timely Oak in the sixth and I’ve Decided and Quianlong in the seventh.