She Looks to Surf on the Turf

The first Grade I race of the meet is the $400,000 Ramona Handicap and the favorite and most likely winner is Tranquility Lake. Provided, of course, trainer Julio Canani can help the 6-year-old Rahy mare avoid any spiders. Last year, a spider bit her on the left foreleg three days before the Ramona and knocked her out of the race. Owned by Pam and Marty Wygod, Tranquility Lake will be looking for her 10th victory in 23 starts and her second in five races on the Del Mar turf course. The Ramona is the best race on a quality card, much better than the past two days.

Race of the day: A race before the Ramona, Christmas Boy, who won the 1999 Bing Crosby Breeders’ Cup Handicap here, will make his first start since finishing second, beaten by a nose, in the Pat O’Brien Handicap on Aug. 14, 1999. An 8-year-old son of Well Decorated, Christmas Boy will run for a $20,000 claiming price as he seeks his seventh victory in 14 starts. The gelding always has run well after vacations.

Who’s hot: Extremely quiet at Hollywood Park, trainer Doug Peterson already has two victories at the meet--longshot Sigfreto in the first division of the Oceanside Stakes and favored Please Be Seated in Thursday’s finale.

Who’s not: The 10 fillies and mares who were entered in today’s first race. They are a combined six for 69 this year.

Exotically speaking: A pick three keying Roam Free in the second. We’ll single trainer Bobby Frankel’s maiden filly, who was compromised by a troubled trip in her U.S. bow, then use Princess Belle, Song Of Summer and Nite Gaze in the third and Stormy Jack, National Saint and Lexicon in the fourth.