King Robyn Pursues Another Local Sweep

King Robyn, the first horse to win stakes races at all six Southern California meets -- Santa Anita winter-spring, Hollywood Park spring-summer, Del Mar, Fairplex Park, Oak Tree and Hollywood Park fall -- will begin his attempt to repeat the feat today in the $100,000 El Conejo Handicap at Santa Anita.

Owned by Cornejo Racing, Inc. and trained by Jeff Mullins, the 4-year-old Robyn Dancer gelding is the 2-1 morning line favorite against seven others in the first Southern California graded stakes of 2004.

Capable on both turf and dirt, King Robyn -- who will break from the inside post in the 5 1/2 furlong race -- is unbeaten on Santa Anita’s main track. He won an optional claimer in his California debut here last Jan. 23, then won the San Pedro Stakes a couple of months later.

Alex Solis, aboard for six of the gelding’s eight wins last year, has the call today.

The 5-2 second choice is Avanzado, who will be trying to bounce back from a fifth-place finish as the 7-10 favorite in the Vernon O. Underwood on Nov. 27 at Hollywood Park.

The 7-year-old, trained by Doug O’Neill for Cees Stable, should do better with the scenery change. He has won two of three at Santa Anita, including the Ancient Title, a Grade I, last Oct. 5.

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Race of the day: Go Go Baby Go, who has won two in a row for trainer Kathleen DeMasi, will make her Aqueduct debut today in the $75,000 Interborough Handicap at six furlongs. Jozbin Santana will ride the 5-year-old Marked Tree mare for owners Joe Boff and Connie Burke against Bonefide Reason, Literary Light, Fit Performer, Shawklit Mint, Drexel Monorail and Elegant Designer.

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One for the road: Love’s Strong Hart, impressive breaking his maiden in his second career start on Nov. 23, can come right back in the $60,000 Dancing Count Stakes today at Laurel. The Not For Love colt will break from the outside in the field of seven 2-year-olds in the six-furlong contest. Jozbin Santana will ride for trainer Damon Dildovico

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Exotically speaking: A pick three using Inesperado, Tradition Rocks and Geronimo in the seventh, Avanzado, King Robyn, Summer Service and Boston Common in the eighth and Alltroienne in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 7/17. Money: Previous day/meet total: $39.40/$89.40. Total money bet: $90.