Will It Be New Millennium?

Considering it has only a $74,000-added purse, the Skywalker Handicap, which will be run today at Santa Anita, has attracted a solid field of seven.

Making his comeback in the one-mile race is Millennium Wind, who was established the 5-2 morning line favorite.

Owned by David and Jill Heerensperger and trained by Dave Hofmans, the 3-year-old son of Cryptoclearance hasn’t raced since finishing 11th, more than 20 lengths behind winner Monarchos, in the Kentucky Derby.

A winner in three of his six races, Millennium Wind has already shown the ability to run well without the benefit of racing He broke his maiden in his debut last Nov. 18 at Hollywood Park beating Orientate, an also-ran in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, by three lengths.

After that, he finished second, a length behind Point Given, in the Hollywood Futurity, won the Santa Catalina, was second in the Louisiana Derby, then romped in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland before flopping in the world’s most famous race at Churchill Downs.

Laffit Pincay Jr., who was aboard for his two most recent races, is back on today..

The Skywalker, named for the horse who won the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Classic, also lured Blade Prospector, a graded stakes winner this year for trainer A.C. Avila and the likely pacesetter this afternoon, I Love Silver, who has never won around two turns; Bosque Redondo, who has not raced since failing at 1-2 odds on Feb. 16; So Urgent, Red Eye and Dig For It, whose biggest claim to fame was finishing a non-threatening third in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 19.

Race of the day: There are several good betting opportunities today at Santa Anita. The third is a wide-open sprint for 2-year-old fillies, the fourth brings together hard-knocking veterans running for a $12,500 tag and the sixth has 10 runners going 61/2 furlongs over the hillside turf course.

Who’s hot: The field in today’s fourth. The 10 runners left after Higher With Fire and Audacious Explorer were scratched have combined for 48 victories, topped by Keepscratching’s 14.

Who’s not: Those who had the pick three in races 4-5-6 on Thursday. The $1 payoff was only $47.40 even though the first winner, Azeri, paid $36.60; the second, Ohforcraftsakes, paid $9.20, and the third, Window B., paid $5. A $2 win parlay on the three winners would have paid more than $400.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Paxtecum in the first race, Red Hot And Blue in the second and using all in the third.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 3/78. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $18.80/$454.40. Total money bet: $490.