Looking for Action This Day

Pleasantly Perfect, who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic for trainer Richard Mandella, was an impressive winner of the San Antonio Handicap eight days ago. This afternoon, Action This Day, the surprise winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last Oct. 25, will return for Mandella in the $75,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.

An ungraded race at 1 1/8 miles, the Sham attracted six other 3-year-olds -- Borrego, True Contender, Gethsemani, Master David, Winner From Mars and Preachinatthebar -- and is part of one of two massive pick-six carry-overs in California. The carry-over is $157,836 at Santa Anita and more than $149,000 at Golden Gate Fields.

Owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Action This Day had won once in two starts before he rallied from last to beat stablemate Minister Eric and 10 others at nearly 27-1 in the Juvenile.

The son of Kris S. has trained well for his comeback and keeps David Flores, who rode him for the first time in the Juvenile.

Master David, a son of Grand Slam, was third in the Santa Catalina last month in his first start in California for trainer Bobby Frankel. It was his first start since he was second to Read The Footnotes in the Remsen last Nov. 29 at Aqueduct, so he has a right to move forward.

Winner From Mars is the only unbeaten in the Sham, but both of his victories have come over turf.

Race of the day: Randaroo, who was second to Island Fashion in the La Brea Stakes on Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, heads a field of eight fillies and mares in the $100,000 Shirley Jones Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

One for the road: Oonagh makes her first start on Lasix for trainer Christophe Clement after losing by a nose on Dec. 28 at Calder. The Wild Again filly can go wire-to-wire in today’s sixth at Gulfstream Park. Eibar Coa will ride in the $32,000 maiden affair at seven furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta keying Gems Of Wisdom on top in the seventh with Arch Ability, Bond Midnight, Sky Reality and The Toast Of Troy in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/98. Money: Previous day/meet total: $15.40/$548. Total money bet: $566.