This Transition Can Be Made

When he takes on Tizbud, Pass Rush and five other newly turned 4-year-olds in the $200,000 San Fernando Breeders’ Cup Stakes today at Santa Anita, Mananan McLir will have a precedent to follow as he makes the transition from turf to dirt.

Wind the clock back to 1996 and Helmsman moved from the grass to the main track and won the San Fernando, the second leg of the Strub Series, for the same connections that will send out Mananan McLir in the Grade II.

A partnership that includes the Horizon Stable and trainer Wally Dollase won with Helmsman seven years ago and will try to do it again in the 1 1/16-mile race with a colt who is the 4-1 third choice in the morning line.

Mananan McLir has won two of 15 on the grass, including the American Derby, a Grade II, last July 21 at Arlington Park.

The field isn’t among the finest in the history of a race that has been won by Tiznow, Silver Charm, Bertrando and Best Pal since 1992, and Mananan McLir has had some solid dirt workouts. Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has ridden the colt twice -- a third in the Oak Tree Derby and a second in the Hollywood Derby -- will be aboard. Jumping from an easy maiden win to graded stakes company, Tizbud is the 5-2 favorite. Tiznow is his full brother.

Race of the day: Trainer Bobby Frankel, who has won the $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap four times in the last seven years, holds a strong hand in the 34th running of the Grade II. He will send out favored Tates Creek and 4-1 third choice Megahertz in the 1 1/8-mile turf race.

Who’s hot: Shane Sellers. The jockey, who came out of retirement last year, is riding at a 19% clip so far this year while based in Louisiana.

Who’s not: Michael Pino. The trainer, who won with 24% of his starters in 2002, was 0 for 23 to begin the year.

Exotically speaking: A pick four singling Yearly Copy in the sixth; Devil’s Horn, Teebar, River God and Golden Arrow in the seventh; Rushin’ To Altar and Tizbud in the eighth; and Slew City Citadel, Big Country and Wholly John in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/35. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.20/$188.40. Total money bet: $222.