Sarafan Tries an Easier Spot

After six consecutive starts in graded stakes, Sarafan will try lesser in today’s $75,000 Escondido Handicap at Del Mar. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $124,720.

The 7-year-old gelded son of Lear Fan, who has won nine times and earned over $2.4 million in his 41-race career, will stretch out to 1 3/8 miles on the turf while coming back quickly for trainer Neil Drysdale.

It has been only 10 days since Sarafan finished seventh in the Eddie Read Handicap, trailing winner Special Ring by 4 3/4 lengths in the Grade I.

Winless since he won an allowance race as the 1-2 favorite Nov. 13 at Hollywood Park, Sarafan is the 6-5 favorite, but only because he is coupled in the wagering with Pellegrino.

Like Sarafan, Pellegrino is owned by Gary Tanaka and enters the race in peak form for trainer Don Burke. The 5-year-old has won two of his last three and excels at marathon distances. His last two wins were at 1 1/4 miles and 1 1/2 miles.

The Escondido field is completed by Gene de Campeao; Leprechaun Kid, who has won twice over the Del Mar grass; Kilkea Castle, a shipper from New York; Stardan and Outta Here.

Race of the day: West Virginia, a consistent 3-year-old for owners Don and Mary Zuckerman, heads a field of 10 in today’s $250,000 New York Stallion Stakes at Saratoga. John Velazquez will ride for trainer Todd Pletcher in the 1 1/8 -mile contest restricted to New York breds.

One for the road: Move- overredrover drops into a much softer spot in today’s 10th at Santa Rosa and could be ready to graduate in the $8,000 claimer at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Our Emerald and La Perfecta in the sixth, the Pellegrino entry and Leprechaun Kid in the seventh and Charmopoly, Touchdown U S C and Firing Note in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/26. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17.60/$147.20. Total money bet: $206.