Sharper Too Has the Edge

For those who can’t get enough of the California Sires Stakes, the race will be run again this afternoon.

A day after 2-year-old California-bred fillies knocked heads, colts and geldings will get their chance to run for $100,000, the purse for the restricted race.

Sharper Too, who won the I’m Smokin at Del Mar on Sept. 3, is the 7-5 favorite to win for the third time in six starts for trainer Mike Harrington, who also owns the colt in partnership.

Victor Espinoza, who will again be aboard the son of High Brite, has had the touch with Sharper Too. Both of the colt’s victories have come with Espinoza.

Synergize, who finished third, 11/2 lengths behind Sharper Too, in the I’m Smokin, is the 4-1 second choice and will break from the rail in the field of eight. A possible upsetter is Rampant Control, who was visually impressive breaking his maiden against $32,000 claimers on Aug. 26 at Del Mar.

Race of the day: The seventh, a one-mile turf race that lured eight entrants. Speak In Passing, who is a nose and a head away from being three for three in this country for trainer Bobby Frankel, will break from the rail and is the 2-1 favorite.

He’ll try to go gate-to-wire in a field that includes Night Life, an impressive winner in his American bow for Jenine Sahadi; Duke Of Green, who has lost nine in a row since winning a division of the 2000 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar; and Quake, who has won two of his last three on the lawn.

Who’s hot: Longshot players, at least on opening day. There were five double-digit winners on opening day, capped by Dini Dee’s $126.80 shocker in the sixth.

Who’s not: Bay Meadows. The track’s decision to run on Friday nights while Santa Anita is running the day is still mind-boggling.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Rabin in the third, Lady Cadet, Warp and One Number Short in the fourth and Sharper Too and Rampant Control in the fifth.