Sham Draws a Field of Six

The $75,000 Sham Stakes, which will be run for only the second time this afternoon, is a prep for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

Hopefully, today’s race will be of more significance than the 2001 running.

Not one of the six 3-year-olds who participated in last year’s Sham made it to the Santa Anita Derby.

Wild And Wise, part of the 9-10 favored entry, won what was an ugly race, beating Swordfish by a half-length in 1:502/5 over 11/8 miles.

Special Times, the other half of the entry, was third.

The likely favorite this year is Cottonwood Cowboy, a son of Meadowlake who has won two of five for owners Lorraine and Rod Rodriguez and trainer Chris Paasch.

A chestnut purchased for $110,000 a year ago, Cottonwood Cowboy exits the best race. He finished third in the Santa Catalina behind Labamta Babe.

Those who will be trying to run him down are Shah Jehan, a $4.4-million yearling who had a win and a second in four turf starts in Ireland, France and England and will be making his dirt debut for trainer Wayne Lukas; Puerto Banus, a half-brother to Spain who was fourth in his first race around two turns nine days ago; Hot Contest, who beat maidens at 25-1 on Dec. 30; U S S Tinosa, the 5-2 second choice who most recently was third in the Golden Gate Derby on Jan. 12, and Definite Edge.

Race of the day: The $100,000 Sabin Handicap at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., drew a large field of fillies and mares, including Gulfstream specialist De Bertie, Grade I winner Miss Linda and Acorn Stakes winner Forest Secrets.

Who’s hot: Call Me A Prince. The 7-year-old gelding has won three of his last four at Golden Gate Fields and steps up a level in search of his 13th lifetime victory in today’s first.

Who’s not: Tricky Sister. The Tricky Six filly has been beaten by a combined 541/2 lengths in her first two starts and drops into a claimer in today’s fourth at Oaklawn Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Casual Queen in the first, using Test The Waters and Westmead Empress in the second and Sheza Jazzy Slew, Please Be Seated, Mickey’s Hot Stuff and Romantic Won in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/97. Money: previous day/meet total: $13/$595.20. Total money bet: $544.