Labamta Babe Is No Bargain

Labamta Babe has run some extremely poor races since he was purchased privately by trainer Bobby Frankel for owner Ed Gann.

The 4-year-old Skywalker colt was beaten by nearly 30 lengths over a sloppy track in the King’s Bishop last summer at Saratoga, and was last as the even-money favorite in an optional five-horse claimer at Hollywood Park on Nov. 11.

All told, Labamta Babe, who earned his maiden win against $30,000 claimers at Ellis Park on Aug. 22, 2001, has won two races for his current connections.

Both were at Santa Anita, however, and he’ll try for another in today’s second race, a $65,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Labamta Babe won as the 3-2 favorite in his first race of the meet Jan. 4.

Today’s race is not part of a pick six, which has a carry-over of $79,153.90.

Race of the day: Sea Of Showers, who was impressive in her U.S. debut for Frankel on the Hollywood Park turf, heads a full field of fillies and mares going a mile on the grass in today’s seventh at Santa Anita. Other contenders include Sweep The Deck, Nanogram, Onaccountofyou and Revenante.

Who’s hot: David Flores. The jockey is on top of his game right now and won four times Thursday, and none of his winners was favored.

Who’s not: Whining trainers in Florida. Those complaining about trainer Mark Shuman’s amazing success in the early days of the Gulfstream Park season are way off base. If they believe Shuman and owner Michael Gill are running horses below their value, they can go ahead and claim them.

Exotically speaking: Exactas in the sixth, keying My Kind Of Day with Avie Cielo, Ron Cherry and Armed ‘N Crafty.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/48. Money: Previous day/meet total: $43/$273. Total money bet: $290.