Frankel Could Break Lukas’ Record Today

Less than $189,000 shy of Wayne Lukas’ 14-year-old record of $17,842,358 in stable earnings, trainer Bobby Frankel could be the record holder by the end of today’s racing.

A cinch to win his third consecutive Eclipse award as the country’s top trainer, Frankel will send out the favored entry of Peace Rules and Bis Repetitas in the $75,000-added Hill Rise Stakes and 7-5 choice You in the $200,000 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita. In addition, he will be represented by More Modern, at 6-1, in the eighth, a $62,500 claimer with a $52,000 purse. Victories in the three races will put Frankel over the top.

The first leg of the La Canada series for fillies, the seven-furlong La Brea attracted 10 others, including the slumping Habibti and comebacker Bella Bellucci.

A winner of five Grade I races since being purchased privately by Frankel for owner Ed Gann, You will try for another in the La Brea before she begins a vacation. The daughter of You And I has had success at Santa Anita, winning the Las Virgenes and Santa Anita Oaks earlier in the year. She is also one for one at the distance, having taken a memorable Test Stakes by a nose over Carson Hollow in what might have been the best race of 2002.

Idle since finishing second to Take Charge Lady in the Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 6, You will break from the inside.

Race of the day: The fifth at Santa Anita is a $52,000 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf; pick three and pick six players will be spreading the wide-open contest with a full field of 12.

Who’s hot: Frank Laboccetta and Robert Barbara. The two trainers started Aqueduct a combined 10 for 18.

Who’s not: Uriel Lopez. The jockey is five for 158 at Hawthorne.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling the Bis Repetitas-Peace Rules entry in the third, Pohave in the fourth and using all in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/2. Money: Previous day/meet total: $5.40/$12.60. Total money bet: $34.