Trying Again to Make Grade

In five previous tries in Grade I races, Crafty C.T. has come up short.

The 5-year-old Crafty Prospector horse was never worse than third in the five races -- the Santa Anita Derby in 2001 and the Metropolitan Handicap, Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Breeders’ Cup Sprint and Cigar Mile -- and has missed the board only twice in 13 career races.

Perhaps Crafty C.T., owned by Carl Grether and trained by Howard Zucker, can get that elusive Grade I this afternoon at Santa Anita. He will be favored against six others in the $200,000 San Carlos Handicap at seven furlongs.

Idle since he finished third in Congaree’s freakish victory in November’s Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, Crafty C.T. has trained well for his return. He also has a good history at Santa Anita, where the chestnut has never been worse than second in six races.

Aldebaran, who finished a neck in front of Crafty C.T. in the Cigar Mile, will also be making his first start since then. He won his only start at Santa Anita at the San Carlos distance nearly a year ago. Jose Valdivia Jr. will ride Aldebaran.

Race of the day: Jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Alex Solis will be at the Fair Grounds to ride Tracemark and Olmodavor, respectively, in the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile Grade II race.

Who’s hot: Party Queen. The 4-year-old Cozzene filly will try for her fifth win in six starts on the turf in today’s $100,000 Suwanee River Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Mark Guidry will ride for trainer Vicki Oliver.

Who’s not: Tom Bush and Steve DiMauro. The trainers are a combined 0 for 50 at Aqueduct.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Crafty C.T. and Total Limit in the seventh, Anima Mundi, Miss Expensive and Ohforcraftsakes in the eighth, and single Beau Soleil in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/129. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22.60/$764. Total money bet: $840.