Madame Pietra Drives for 5

The last time Madame Pietra lost was Aug. 21, 2002, when the daughter of Roy, who was the 2-1 favorite that day, was beaten a by neck by Wild Tickle.

In four starts since for owner Carl Grether and trainer Howard Zucker, Madame Pietra has been perfect.

Unbeaten with jockey Patrick Valenzuela, the Florida-bred will try for her second consecutive Grade III victory in today’s $150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar.

Successful at 6-1 in the Desert Stormer Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 7, Madame Pietra will have eight opponents in the 6 1/2-furlong Rancho Bernardo.

Other leading contenders include Cee’s Elegance, who surprised You and Affluent as a 9-1 longshot in the A Gleam Handicap on July 13 at Hollywood Park, and Lacie Girl, who has won eight of 12.

Co-owned and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Lacie Girl, a 4-year-old daughter of Editor’s Note, has won seven of 10 starts around one turn.

Fancee Bargain, Spring Meadow, Coconut Girl, Ragin T Rex, Secret Liaison and Jetintohouston complete the field.

Race of the day: Sea Of Showers, who has won all three of her U.S. starts for Flaxman Stable and trainer Bobby Frankel, head the field in the $200,000 Ballston Spa Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Saratoga. A Grade III at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, the Ballston Spa is part of an all-stakes pick four at Saratoga, which also includes the $200,000 Fourstardave Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, the $200,00 King’s Bishop at seven furlongs and the $1 million Travers at 1 1/4 miles.

One for the road: Summer Scene has trained well for her first start of 2003 for Frankel and should come out running in today’s fourth at Saratoga. The Belong to Me filly will be ridden by Edgar Prado in the $47,000 allowance at seven furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Cyclotron in the second, using Woodlass, Valentine Dancer and Tulsa in the third and Galavant, Moonlit Moment, Wild Roar and Koslanin in the fourth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 2/59. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11.60/$341.60. Total money bet: $442.