Carava Can Extend Lead

After two weeks of the Oak Tree meet, Jack Carava leads trainers with six victories, one more than Bob Baffert, Richard Mandella and Doug O’Neill.

Carava has a chance to fatten his advantage today.

He has runners in five of the eight races and all five have to be considered contenders.

In the opener, he will send out likely favorite Girl Talk. A 5-year-old Lil Tyler mare, she has won her last two and the anticipated quick pace should set things up for her from behind.

Like Girl Talk, Disguys Dalimit arrives on a two-race roll and figures to be favored in the second against six other $10,000 claimers. A winner of 10 of 31 lifetime, the 7-year-old has won four of 11 at Santa Anita.

Claimed by Carava for $40,000 more than two months ago at Del Mar, Snoopy Cat is back in for that price today against six other 3-year-olds in the third, the first leg of the pick six.

Biker’s Sis, who was claimed by Carava for $16,000 at Del Mar, should be helped by a fast pace in the fifth, and Its Always Busy seeks his first win in the sixth.

Race of the day: Endless Summer, a Group II winner in England, makes his first start since July 18 for Bobby Frankel in the seventh at Santa Anita, a $50,000 optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Among his seven opponents are Bills Paid, Music’s Storm and El Curioso.

Who’s hot: Russell Baze. The leading jockey at Bay Meadows had five winners Monday to widen his lead over runner-up Jason Lumpkins.

Who’s not: California racing. New York tracks wisely took two days off after a six-day week, thanks to the Columbus Day holiday, but both Santa Anita and Bay Meadows are back in action after only a one-day respite.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Girl Talk in the first and Disguys Dalimit in the second and using Rehabilitated, Rainman’s Request, Snoopy Cat, Brazil Nut and Highly Suspect in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/26. Money: Previous day/meet total: $2.80/$155.20. Total money bet: $190.