A Field of 10 for San Diego

Although today’s $250,000 San Diego Handicap is considered a prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 24, that description of the Grade II race is really a misnomer.

None of the horses who will be the marquee names in the Classic, runners such as Congaree, Milwaukee Brew and Candy Ride, are competing this afternoon in the 62nd renewal of the San Diego.

Even without the heavy hitters, the 1 1/16-mile race is a good-betting affair. Ten older horses are scheduled to run -- after the scratch on Saturday morning of longshot Daunting -- and how often does a stakes in California attract that many runners?

Joey Franco has the best recent form of the participants. Since being transferred by owner-breeder Jerry Frankel to the barn of trainer Darrell Vienna, the 4-year-old Avenue Of Flags colt has won three of four.

After finishing second to Bluesthestandard in the Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup on March 29 at Santa Anita, the California-bred won the Tiznow, Ack Ack and Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Handicap in succession at Hollywood Park.

He’ll now stretch out around two turns under jockey Patrick Valenzuela and he does have a good history at Del Mar. He won two starts there last year.

Among the rest, the other prime candidates are Reba’s Gold, Gondolieri, Danthebluegrassman and longshot Legendary Weave.

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Race of the day: Seattle Shamus, a highly regarded 4-year-old son of Seattle Slew, will try two turns for the first time today for owners Karen and Mickey Taylor and Albert Finney and trainer Neil French in the seventh at Del Mar. The $63,000 optional claimer is at one mile on the main track.

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One for the road: Strike Up should be ready to roll against a weak field in his first race in nearly a year for trainer H. James Bond. The gray son of Crafty Prospector will be ridden by Jorge Chavez in the fourth at Saratoga and Bond has a good record with horses coming off long layoffs.

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Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Dream Of Summer in the first, using Winter Squall, Gilded Bertrando and Rubiano’s Wish in the second, and Satan’s Song, Secret Caper, Our Gal Irish and Dancin Doll in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/13. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$83.80. Total money bet: $172.