Paga Takes to the Turf

Although the supporting card isn’t particularly inspiring, the main event at Santa Anita is much better than average for a Thursday.

Eleven fillies and mares are scheduled to run about 61/2 furlongs on the turf in the $75,000-added Winter Solstice Handicap.

Paga, who has won two of three since coming to this country, is the 5-2 favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line. She is proven down the hillside, having won the Monrovia Handicap on the final day of 2001.

Owned by Ed Allred and R.D. Hubbard and trained by Richard Mandella, the 5-year-old mare won four of six in Argentina before coming to the U.S. In her American debut, she won the Osunitas Handicap at Del Mar, then was third in the Violet Handicap at the Meadowlands before her victory in the Monrovia.

Other contenders in the Winter Solstice, named for a stakes-winning mare from some 25 years ago, who, in fact, won the Monrovia in 1976 and ‘77, include Penny Marie, Twin Set, Gabriellina Giof and Queen Of Wilshire.

Shortening up and dropping in class after missing by a neck in the Buena Vista Handicap on Feb. 18, Queen Of Wilshire is the 4-1 second choice. Owned by Ernest Auerbach and trained by Darrell Vienna, she is a capable sprinter and drew the outside post.

A lightly raced Sky Classic mare, Penny Marie will be making her first start since finishing third in the Mamzelle at Churchill Downs last May 3.

Trained by Bob Hess Jr., she has won two of four starts on the Santa Anita turf course.

Race of the day: Trainer Bobby Frankel will send out another import in today’s third, a nine-furlong race on the turf. Staging Post will make his U.S. debut and Frankel will also be represented by Blue Steller.

Who’s hot: Corona Kool. The classy quarter horse mare won the $200,000 Los Alamitos Championship last weekend and she has won a Grade I race in four consecutive years for trainer Donna McArthur.

Who’s not: La Canoa Ranchaa. The Florida-bred gelding is winless in eight and will be a big price again in today’s 10th at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Rockin Robannier and Bold Mind in the fourth, singling Divine Spirit in the fifth and using Roberto’s Show, The Buggy Whip and Deal ‘Em Jack in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/144. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3.60/$853.60. Total money bet: $874.