Hillside Course Specialists Run in Santa Anita Feature Race

Three veteran geldings who have proven themselves down Santa Anita’s unique hillside course will be getting together in today’s feature, a $60,000 allowance at about 6 1/2 furlongs.

F J’s Pace, a five-time winner on the layout, four-time winner Macward and Lookn East, who is batting .500 with two victories in four tries, head the field of eight on a card spiced up by a two-day pick six carryover of $289,934.

Owned by Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds and trained by Doug O’Neill, F J’s Pace won the Aprisa Handicap at Fairplex Park last month against only three rivals as the 7-10 favorite. He is the speed of the field over a course where he has won three of his last six starts.

Macward, a 6-year-old Sharp Victor gelding co-owned by breeder Marvin Malmuth and trained by Ian Jory, is making his first start since he finished seventh in the nine-horse San Simeon Handicap on April 21. Owned by Charles, Michael and Tom Dante and trained by Vladimir Cerin, Lookn East is the 3-1 choice on the morning line on the strength of his two-length win at Del Mar about a month ago.

The five other participants are Lord Pacal, So Urgent, Capo Di Capo, Star Cross, a six-time winner in his native Argentina and Lebontempsroulet.

Race of the day: Danthebluegrassman is among nine 3-year-olds entered in today’s $75,000 Perryville at Keeneland.

Who’s hot: Chad Schvaneveldt. The jockey has been making the best of his opportunities at Bay Meadows, winning at about a 21% clip.

Who’s not: Caesar Bisono. The rider began Bay Meadows in a three-for-63 slump.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Fragrant Cloud in the second, using Hula Girl, Rainbow Acorn, R Bertrando, Little Q Tee and Jade Vixen in the third and Belongstospeed, Quila Shun and Ec Lady in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/16. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16.20/$81.60. Total money bet: $120.