Filly May Shine in Twilight

So much for the excitement of opening day. Reality has set in and small fields again are the order of the day, as they were Thursday. Only 61 horses were entered for today’s first twilight card, and after scratches, there isn’t one race with more than nine horses. Fancy Prancer, a 2-year-old Bertrando filly, is the 2-1 favorite in the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. Stakes. Owned by Stan Ryan and Greg Tracy, Fancy Prancer has won two races in Minnesota and Iowa by a combined 15 1/2 lengths. Now we’ll see how she does in the big leagues.

Race of the day: The CTBA is the best race. Besides Fancy Prancer, it features the fast filly Britetonzmyday and the Cliff Sise-trained entry of Whitewinesipper and Asian Adventure, who was second last month to Landaluce winner Georgia’s Storm in the Cinderella at Hollywood Park.

Who’s hot: Trainer Bill Spawr and jockey Laffit Pincay got off to a blazing start, teaming for three winners opening day.

Who’s not: Meditative, a 6-year-old Alysheba mare and a 15-1 longshot in today’s first race, has lost her last 26 starts since the beginning of 2000 and is one for 39 lifetime.

Exotically speaking: Let’s play a late pick three, keying on Fancy Prancer in the seventh. In the sixth, we’ll use Flags At Dawn, the entry of Jordi Moi and U U Star and Look Of Eagles. In the eighth, we’ll use Thundering West, Hemet Thought and Timely Oak.