It May Turn Into Dirty Business for Belleski

If today’s $100,000 Monrovia Handicap remains on the turf, Belleski will be very difficult to beat.

As of Thursday, the Grade III at about 6 1/2 furlongs was still on the grass, but that could change if the weather forecast holds true and more rain falls today.

Should the Monrovia stay put, Belleski, a 5-year-old Polish Numbers mare owned by Jerry and Ann Moss and trained by John Sadler, is a deserving favorite.

She has won eight of 15 in her career and all five of her races on the Santa Anita turf course, including four at the Monrovia distance.

With Corey Nakatani in the midst of a 30-day suspension, Garrett Gomez will take over on Belleski, who won a $51,600 allowance in her last start on Nov. 3 at Hollywood Park.

Fifteen other fillies and mares entered the Monrovia, including the comebacking Solar Echo.

Solar Echo, a gray daughter of Spinning World, has won three of five as a 3-year-old but hasn’t raced since finishing second in the Del Mar Oaks, a Grade I, on Aug. 24, 2003. Gary Stevens will ride for owner-breeder Janis Whitham and trainer Ron McAnally.

Race of the day: Colonial Colony, whose only win of the year came when he upset Southern Image and four others when he was 62-1 in the Stephen Foster Handicap on June 12 at Churchill Downs, is among seven older horses scheduled to go 1 1/16 miles in the $60,000 Louisiana Handicap today at the Fair Grounds. Larry Melancon will ride Colonial Colony for owner Chris Nolan and trainer Dallas Stewart, who took over for former trainer Walter Bindner Jr. last month.

One for the road: Splendid Times catches another paceless field and can win right back for trainer Bill Delia in today’s second at Golden Gate Fields. The 5-year-old Gilded Time gelding steps up to the $6,250 level after winning by 10 lengths against $4,000 claimers on Dec. 18. Iggy Puglisi will ride in the 1 1/16 -mile race as Splendid Times aims for his fifth win in 33 starts.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using R Fast Lady and Pussycat Doll in the third, Cafe Katy in the fourth and Funny Bone, Smokette and Ole’ Cheryl in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/12. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22.40/$72.20. Total money bet: $68.