Maidens All in a Row

Those who love maiden claiming races are in luck today at Santa Anita.

The day before the track offers its biggest race, the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap, it is presenting a card in which half the races are of the maiden claiming variety.

The pick six kicks off with a route (11/16 miles) for 3-year-old California-bred maiden fillies running for a $40,000 tag, and continues in the fourth with a seven-furlong race for $25,000 older maidens. Twelve 3-year-olds running for a $32,000 purse will contest the sixth, and the day winds up a split of the fourth race with 10 $25,000 maidens again going seven furlongs.

Although a lot of slow horses will be in action this afternoon, the program does feature a stakes race. A dozen 3-year-old fillies are scheduled to get together in the $100,000-added La Habra at about 61/2 furlongs on the turf.

Carinae is the 5-2 morning-line choice and for good reason. A daughter of Nureyev trained by Bobby Frankel for owner-breeder Flaxman Holdings Ltd., Carinae should have won her U.S. debut on this course Feb. 1.

The even-money favorite that afternoon, she was blocked when crossing over from the turf to the dirt, then back onto the grass, then had to steady again while searching for room in the final furlong. Given all those problems, she was still beaten by only 11/2 lengths and should be able to make amends with a clean journey.

Back to face Carinae again is Fun House. A daughter of Prized out of the productive mare Bistra, she won the Feb. 1 race. It was her second win in three tries for owner-breeder Verne Winchell and trainer Ron McAnally.

The rest of the La Habra field includes Dancing, the 18-1 upset winner of the Santa Ynez Stakes in her American debut; Lady Katy Did, Ayzal, Gold Sugar, Ashbecca, Partytime, Anbella, Yourfinalanswer, Nunatall and High Society. Ayzal and Partytime will race coupled because of common ownership.

Race of the day: The second at Santa Anita marks the comeback of Tates Creek, a Frankel-trained filly who won three turf races in a row last summer at Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

Who’s hot: Honey Mustard Girl. The Black Tie Affair filly has won six of eight and will try for another victory in today’s seventh at Golden Gate Fields.

Who’s not: The field in today’s fourth at Santa Anita. The 10 maidens are a combined 0 for 56 and have managed only six on-the-board finishes.

Exotically speaking: Exacta boxes in the first keying Alessandria with Sherri Shine, Thatswhatshesaid and Western Dawn.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 4/135. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $28.20/$807.60. Total money bet: $802.