They Reunite in Pine Tree Lane

Those who missed the Las Flores Handicap on Feb. 22 might see a rerun today. Well, almost. Spring Meadow, who won the Grade III by a neck, is missing, but four other participants are back for the $75,000 Pine Tree Lane at six furlongs.

Brisquette, who was second in the Las Flores in her first main-track start of 2003, will probably be favored against Wild Tickle, who was in a dead heat for third last month; Secret Liaison, who was sixth in the Las Flores, and last-place finisher Shameful. The only other entrant for the Pine Tree Lane is Maria’s Mirage, who won the Cactus Flower Handicap 18 days ago at Turf Paradise.

Owned by Marty Wygod and Herman Sarkowsky and trained by Richard Mandella, Brisquette is a lightly raced daughter of Unbridled’s Song. She has won four of 12 and has been almost equally proficient on turf and dirt. Maria’s Mirage, Shameful and Secret Liaison all figure to do battle for the lead, so Brisquette could make the last run count under jockey Victor Espinoza.

Race of the day: A case can be made for most of the seven runners in today’s seventh at Santa Anita, a mile turf race for older California breds.

Who’s hot: Iggy Puglisi. The jockey won three races Sunday, including his $32 upset on Krismas, the main reason the pick six returned more than $194,000. Puglisi’s other two victories came with Asong For Billy in the March Madness Starter Handicap and Apple Juice Tea in the ninth. Both horses are trained by Paul Aguirre.

Who’s not: Octavio Vergara. The jockey lost with 62 of his first 63 mounts at Santa Anita.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Harvest Festival in the sixth, using all in the seventh and Mr. Dillon and Master Of The Sea in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/181. Money: Previous day/meet total: $30.40/$1,022.40. Total money bet: $1,116.