Clear Shot for Fog City?

Fog City Willy had quite a campaign last year. The gelded son of Present Value won seven of 10 in 2002 and was extremely popular at the claim box.

A California bred, Fog City Willy ran for six trainers last year. After spending most of his career with trainer Ed Moger Jr., the dark bay was claimed by John Terry Marshall, Jerry Hollendorfer, Kent Molinaro, Garland McAlester, Gordon Wells and Terry Knight.

Idle since finishing fourth in the slop at Golden Gate Fields on Dec. 14, Fog City Willy will make his first start for Knight in today’s seventh at Golden Gate, a $16,000 claimer at six furlongs.

Fog City Willy flopped as the chalk in his latest on a sloppy track, but should appreciate dry land today. He has won 10 of 26 on fast surfaces.

Race of the day: Mayakovsky, whose hype has exceeded his accomplishments so far, will try turf for the first time in today’s second Santa Anita. The $61,000 optional claimer also attracted Marine, Dream Machine, Splendid Times, Alyzig and Poker Brad. Mayakovsky’s only stakes win came in the Gotham, a Grade III, last March 17 at Aqueduct.

Who’s hot: Dale Romans. The trainer won with three of his first six starters at Gulfstream Park, including a $60.60 shocker with Point Prince in the Appleton Handicap on Saturday.

Who’s not: The trainers in today’s third at Santa Anita. The eight men were a combined three for 60 the first 10 days of the meet.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Marine in the second, using Kimon, Tioga Lake, Global Games and Spaced Out in the third and Royal Footage, Reluctant Hero and Concussion in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/29. Money: Previous day/meet total: $5.40/$153.20. Total money bet: $190.