Ditch Digger Set to Step Up

Making his first start for trainer Craig Lewis after being claimed for $50,000, Ditch Digger will try to become the first four-time winner of the Santa Anita meet in today’s fifth race.

An 8-year-old gelding bred in Argentina, Ditch Digger finished fourth and sixth in his first two starts in this country for trainer Bill Spawr, then began his roll when stretched out on the Santa Anita main track in his first race of 2003.

He outfinished Good Cop Bad Cop to win by a neck when starting for a $40,000 claiming price Jan. 5, then rallied from last going seven furlongs to again defeat $40,000 claimers Feb. 2.

Switched to the turf, Ditch Digger blew away a field of nine claimers by 3 1/2 lengths going about 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 20.

Ditch Digger will step up to the $62,500 level today against a group that includes only one other horse with a win on the Santa Anita turf course. That would be Seven Jillion, a three-time winner down the hill who will be making his first appearance since last June 30 for trainer Bob Hess Jr.

Race of the day: A hard-knocking field of claimers will get together in today’s fourth at Golden Gate Fields. The seven veterans have combined for 46 wins, topped by Fog City Willy, who has won 12 times. The rest of the field in the $20,000 starter allowance at six furlongs also includes 11-time winner Court Shenanigans and A Bunch Of Maniacs, Chupacabras and Full Force Gale, all of whom have six victories.

Who’s hot: Patrick Valenzuela. The jockey had four more winners Wednesday and seems headed toward his first Santa Anita riding title.

Who’s not: John Tammaro. The trainer lost with 40 of his first 42 starters at Laurel.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling B.Z. Jones in the first, using Southern Oasis, Arabian Song and Bush Triumph in the second and Tribe and Our Houdini in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/137. Money: Previous day/meet total: $12/$797.40. Total money bet: $890.