Field Could Be to His Liking

The wait is over. Maggies Pants, a 13-year-old gelding, will make his first start since Oct. 14, 2000, against five others in today’s fourth at Ferndale.

A California-bred owned by James Breeden, who also used to train the dark bay, and trained by Keith Didio, Maggies Pants, who was born in 1989, is still a maiden.

In a career dotted with numerous layoff lines, Maggies Pants has only run 23 times. All he has managed in those races is one second and one third.

Last seen finishing last in a field of eight at 30-1 at Fresno, Maggies Pants will be ridden by a jockey (George Memis) who had lost with 103 of his first 104 mounts this year. Still, he is the only member of today’s field who has hit the board. The other five entrants in the seven-furlong race are winless in 29.

Race of the day: Bring Home Thegold, who broke his maiden at Del Mar last year, makes his first start since Feb. 28 for trainer John Shirreffs in today’s seventh at Del Mar. The $68,000 optional claimer is at one mile on the main track and also lured Pie N Burger and Truly A Judge, among others.

Who’s hot: Shug McGaughey. The trainer is off to a hot start at Saratoga. His victory with Lady Liberty in Wednesday’s second was his seventh of the season, leaving him third in the standings behind Bill Mott and Todd Pletcher. McGaughey doesn’t have any entrants today.

Who’s not: Mike Mitchell. The trainer began the Del Mar meet with one win in 21 starters.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Mountain Flag in the third, using Swingin Swiss and Mr. J’s Girl in the fourth and Fast N Nab, Manly Valentine and Digniflite in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/39. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.20/$223.80. Total money bet: $324.