Memo to Mike Is a Find

On paper, Memo To Mike looks like one of the better claims of the 21-day-old Santa Anita meet.

Debuting against $40,000 California-bred maidens Jan. 5, the gelded son of Memo had early trouble in the field of 12, but moved up into a perfect position around the turn under jockey David Flores, swung to the outside in the stretch and kicked away to win by two lengths. He completed the 61/2 furlongs in 1:162/5.

Owned by Ed and Natalie Friendly and trained by Richard Matlow that day, Memo To Mike was taken by Dave Hofmans for the Legacy Ranch and he will make his first start for his new connections in today’s opener at Santa Anita.

Running against six opponents, Memo To Mike drew the outside post and will be favored to remain unbeaten in the $26,000 starter allowance race at seven furlongs.

A race later, another California-bred of promise also will be trying for his second victory in as many starts.

Got The Message, who is also by Memo, will have only five opponents as he seeks another victory for the Jacoby Family Trust and leading trainer Bill Spawr.

Out of the mare Miss Fuddy Duddy, which makes him a half-brother to the stakes-winning mare Enjoy The Moment, Got The Message overcame a bad start to beat maidens by four lengths under Laffit Pincay Jr. His opponents today are Sombrio, who beat maiden claimers at 19-1 in his first race on New Year’s Eve; Gobi Dan, who was second in last month’s California Breeders’ Champion Stakes; Vito Corleone, who was fourth in that same race, and Green Team, who has one win in nine starts while primarily racing in Northern California.

Race of the day: Swiss Miss, a veteran mare who won last Friday, is back in a hurry in today’s seventh, an optional claimer at one mile on the turf. Other notables in a wide-open race include Rhiana, La Picara, Dynamous, Dynamistic and Walts Wharf.

Who’s hot: Gary Stevens. The rider won with all three of his mounts Monday and nearly doubled his victory output at the meet. The only mount he was named on today was Stetson Lady, who was scratched Wednesday morning.

Who’s not: Thunder Twice. The Thunder Gulch gelding, who will be a longshot in today’s eighth, is winless in 33.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Memo To Mike, using Got The Message and Sombrio in the second and Dolfikar, Indiahoma, Prize Giving and Rail Man in the third.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 2/60. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $13/$393. Total money bet: $360.