Meteor Storm Bears Weight

The San Juan Capistrano Handicap, Santa Anita’s main event on the closing day of its winter-spring meet, has been won over the years by seven horses who carried at least 126 pounds and seven others who won carrying at least 124.

Meteor Storm is today’s highweight as he tries to follow his 7-1 upset in last month’s San Luis Rey Handicap with a victory in the Capistrano, which goes at about 1 3/4 miles on the turf. The 5-year-old son of Bigstone will try to do so under a burdensome 116 pounds.

Once arguably the second most significant race at Santa Anita behind the Santa Anita Handicap, the San Juan Capistrano has fallen on hard times and has been deservedly downgraded to a Grade II, especially considering it has been won the last two years by Passinetti and former claimer Ringaskiddy.

Owned by a partnership that includes Gary Margolis and Michael Jarvis and trained by Wally Dollase, Meteor Storm is the 3-1 morning-line favorite as he tries to win for the fifth time in 13 starts.

Rounding out the lineup, from the inside out, are All The Boys, who was second at 11-1 in the 2003 Capistrano, Special Matter, Gene De Campeao, Runaway Dancer, White Buck, Rhythm Mad, Gigli and Ringaskiddy, who hasn’t won a race in five starts since his 10-1 upset two years ago.

Race of the day: Intercontinental, impressive in her U.S. debut for trainer Bobby Frankel on March 28 at Santa Anita, will step into a Grade III stakes in today’s $100,000 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland. Jerry Bailey will ride the 4-year-old Danehill filly for Juddmonte Farms in the 1 1/16-mile turf race.

One for the road: Orbited gets a confident boost in class after being taken for $18,000 by trainer Peter Walder on March 14 and adds the blinkers in today’s sixth, a $34,000 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs, at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Sweet Lips in the third, Lasting Image, Whenthewindblows and Hello Fame in the fourth and Little Mis General, Funny Woman and Princess Rayzana in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/247. Money: Previous day/meet total: $10.20/$1,336. Total money bet: $1,432.