Who Is Horse for Course?

Even though the king of Santa Anita’s hillside turf course won’t be participating, the $75,000 Reb’s Policy Handicap will still be a very interesting race.

El Cielo, who has won 10 of 14 races on the grass in Arcadia, was scratched Tuesday morning--along with Spinelessjellyfish and I’madrifter--leaving a field of nine to go about 61/2 furlongs.

Of those remaining, only three have victories on the unique layout--Macward, 3-1 morning-line favorite Lake William and Lookn East.

Macward, a 6-year-old gelding co-owned and bred by Marvin Malmuth and trained by Ian Jory, has four wins on the local course, including a mild 9-2 upset over Echo Eddie and five others in last month’s Sensational Star Handicap.

Lake William, trained by Richard Mandella and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, has only one win on the hill, but it did come in a stakes. Last April 16, on the final day of the winter-spring meet, he won the San Simeon Handicap, beating among others, Macward and Touch Of The Blues, who will also be running this afternoon.

Lookn East is perfect on the course. He is two for two, having rallied from off the pace to win at nearly 19-1 last fall during the Oak Tree meet, then going wire-to-wire to win at 19-10 last month.

Race of the day: The only other turf race on the card at Santa Anita is the fourth, a wide-open miler that was left with a field of 10 after two scratches. The 7-2 choice on Jeff Tufts’ morning line is Mon Ange, who is dropping out of graded company to make her first start on the grass.

Who’s hot: Bob Baffert. After a slow start, he has moved into his usual position atop the Santa Anita trainer standings. He begins the week with 20 victories, three more than Bill Spawr.

Who’s not: The field in today’s 10th at Gulfstream Park. The eight maidens are a combined 0 for 75 and have managed only 14 on-the-board finishes.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Pleasantly Perfect in the third; using Dynamous, Glorious Linda and Angel Gift in the fourth; and Count Your Cards, Dream Counter and Prized Friend in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/129. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$772.80. Total money bet: $770.