Gassan Royal Places Himself as Solid Earner

Any horse player who started a place parlay when Gassan Royal made his debut on Feb. 3, 2003, has built up a nice bankroll.

A son of Royal Academy and trained by Bobby Frankel for a partnership, Gassan Royal has been no worse than second in all six of his starts. In fact, finishing second is what he does best. He has been the runner-up five times, including three in a row after he earned his lone win on March 19.

Purchased for $35,000 at Keeneland as a yearling, Gassan Royal will try for a second win in today’s seventh race at Santa Anita. He will break from the outside in the field of 11 in the $52,000 optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on the turf.

Alex Solis, the meet’s leading rider and Gassan Royal’s companion in all but the first of his races, has the mount again.

This will be the colt’s second try at 10 furlongs. He was beaten by a head by Fade To Blue as the 13-10 favorite in a similar spot on Jan. 3.

The only member of the field coming off a win is Golden Bonus, a 6-year-old Bonus Money gelding, who beat Macward by a head on Jan. 14.

Race of the day: Lady Annaliese, who was second in a Grade II at Calder in her last start on Dec. 27, will try for her third win in five U.S. starts for Frankel in the $70,000 La Zanzara Handicap at Santa Anita. Solis will ride the New Zealand-bred mare in the 1 1/4 mile turf race. Innit, likely pacesetter Go On Baby, Tifonica, Web Caster and Mer De Corail complete the field.

One for the road: Wouldja adds the blinkers after finishing a strong second at Delta Downs in his debut on Jan. 17. The Louisiana-bred horse can get the money in today’s 10th at the Fair Grounds for owner Chad White and trainer Ernest George.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Miss Cotton Tail and Avalance Bay in the third, Lady Annaliese in the fourth and Reatta Pass, Rosarita Beach and the Thermal Ablasion entry in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/108. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.80/$589.20. Total money bet: $616.