This Duo Right on Track

For many horseplayers, there will be five automatic bets on today’s card at Santa Anita.

Those would be the five horses jockey Laffit Pincay will ride for trainer Bill Spawr.

The productive combination, which had two wins apiece on Tuesday and Wednesday to begin the new year, will team with Davene in the first, Bingo Card in the second, Are You Up in the third, King La Boo in the fourth and Coke’s Tribute in the sixth. A sixth possible starter, Shesmyhucklebery, was scratched from today’s eighth and final race on Thursday morning.

Bingo Card looks like the best opportunity for another trip to the winner’s circle for Spawr and the world’s winningest rider. A thrice-beaten maiden, the 4-year-old son of Devil’s Bag comes off a heartbreaking loss sprinting at Hollywood Park and doesn’t have much to beat in his first race around two turns for owners John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm.

In the first, Davene has to be considered a contender as she returns to the scene of her maiden win. In her first start for Spawr, she finished third of six on Nov. 23 at Hollywood Park. Claimed for $32,000, she is in for that price today in a field that includes class droppers Britetonzmyday and Widow Black.

Owned by Farfellow Farms Ltd., Are You Up will be a longshot in the third race, a one-mile turf affair for older fillies and mares. A 5-year-old daughter of Eagle Eyed, she has been last in her two starts in California. Her last win came on April 1, 2000, at Gulfstream Park.

In the fourth, King La Boo, who comes off an improved second in a sprint at Hollywood Park, will stretch out to two turns again seeking his first win since Dec. 15, 2000. He has lost nine in a row and is winless in four starts at Santa Anita.

The last of the Spawr-Pincay runners is Coke’s Tribute, a 4-year-old gelding who, like King La Boo, has been struggling lately. He hasn’t been better than fourth in his last five starts, but would be very dangerous if he ran back to his race here exactly one year ago. Last Jan. 4, he won a $50,000 claimer by 51/2 lengths at 5-2 under Pincay.

Race of the day: El Cielo, who really is the king of the hill at Santa Anita, will try for his 10th win in 13 tries at the distance of about 61/2 furlongs down the unique hillside course. He will run in the seventh, and although he won’t be any sort of price, it’s always fun to watch El Cielo do his thing.

Who’s hot: Chris McCarron. The jockey is off to a flying start at Santa Anita, having won with eight of his first 25 mounts.

Who’s not: Lido. The 7-year-old Waajib gelding has really fallen on hard times. He went 0 for 15 last year and will run against $5,000 foes in today’s seventh race at Turf Paradise.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Bingo Card in the second, using Fall Habit, Dispersed Reward and Lookn Mighty Fine in the third and King La Boo, Ivegotuundermyskin, Offensive Play and Buzzword in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/21. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22.60/$149.80. Total money bet: $122.