Texcess Tries to Find Groove Against Funk

Texcess, a California-bred who was purchased for $85,000 at a sale earlier this year, is the 3-1 second choice in today’s $1 million Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

Owned by Omar Aldabbagh and trainer Paul Aguirre, the 2-year-old gelded son of In Excess will have nine opponents in the 1 1/16 -mile race, which is funded by revenue from slot machines on the track’s property.

In his three starts in California, Texcess was beaten by a head by Beat The Chalk in his debut in the Barretts Juvenile at Fairplex Park on Sept. 19, then won two in a row at the Jackpot distance.

Texcess, who was bred by Ron Gomez, won the California Cup Juvenile by six lengths, then beat Chips Are Down and Giacomo in an allowance race Nov. 14 at Hollywood Park.

Victor Espinoza has the mount, leaving from post six.

Funk is the 2-1 favorite.

Race of the day: Smuggler, a well-bred 2-year-old filly, will try to remain unbeaten in her stakes debut in today’s $100,000 Three Ring at Calder. A daughter of Unbridled out of the stakes winning mare Inside Information, Smuggler won her first two starts in New York for owner-breeder Ogden Mills Phipps and trainer Shug McGaughey and will be ridden by John Velazquez today in the 1 1/16 -mile race. The Three Ring is one of four stakes being run at Calder today.

One for the road: Lucky Gamble returns to Aqueduct’s inner track for trainer Frank Lacocetta Jr. and he won in his first start over the surface earlier in the year. Norberto Arroyo will ride the 3-year-old in the sixth, a $45,000 allowance at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Veneration in the first, One Two Punch in the second, Bourbon Party in the third, Paris Next Year and Highly Arrogant in the fourth, Silver Traffic and Night Bokbel in the fifth, Twice As Fabulous in the sixth, Puerto Banus, Better Talk Now and License To Run in the seventh, Bilo in the eighth and Feel The Heat and Elisa’s Energy in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/62. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.20/$352.60. Total money bet: $392.