Ramser Offers a Full Field

In terms of significance, the $100,000 Harold C. Ramser Sr. Handicap, which will be run for the 17th time today at Santa Anita, isn’t very important. The one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies is ungraded.

Bettors don’t care. The Ramser offers a rare commodity in California racing: a full field in a stakes race.

Twelve are scheduled to run in the Ramser, the seventh of nine races on the program. It is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $132,847.

The probable favorite is 118-pound highweight Fencelineneighbor, ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr. A daughter of Wild Rush and trained by Mike Machowsky for owner Frank Bertolino, she earned her first victory in California by winning the Barona Cup Handicap at Del Mar on Aug. 23.

One of her main rivals is Summer Wind Dancer. The lone graded stakes winner in the field, she was second against older horses in her grass debut in the Solana Beach Handicap at Del Mar on Sept. 1. Alex Solis, who has been aboard for two of the gray filly’s three victories, is back on for trainer Jenine Sahadi.

Race of the day: Nine 2-year-old fillies, who are a combined 18 for 31, will get together in today’s $150,000 Astarita at Belmont Park, a Grade II at six furlongs.

One for the road: Deputy Champ makes his first start for trainer Scott Lake in today’s eighth at Belmont Park. The 5-year-old Deputy Minister gelding, who was tagged for $50,000, should move up a bunch for his new barn in the $75,000 claimer at a flat mile. Mike Luzzi has the mount in the race that kicks off the pick four.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Luzern, Excaper and B. Lucky in the first, singling Excessive Spice in the second and Moneyed, Wire Transfer and Kimon in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/28. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13/$143. Total money bet: $176.