There Is Quality, if Not Quantity

Although Halfbridled, the best 3-year-old filly in the country, isn’t in the lineup, the field for today’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita has quality. Three of the six entrants in the Grade III are unbeaten and probable favorite Salty Romance is fresh off a victory in a $250,000 stakes at Delta Downs.

Wildwood Flower is the most experienced of the unbeatens. She has won all three starts for owner-breeder John Gunther and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. A daughter of Langfuhr, she won twice at Bay Meadows before winning at Golden Gate Fields on Nov. 22. The 1 1/16-mile Santa Ysabel will mark her first start beyond six furlongs.

Super G I, a Lost Soldier filly, won her debut at Calder on Nov. 15 and the runner-up in the race, Najibes Acre, has since won twice, including an allowance victory on Friday.

The other unbeaten is A.P. Adventure, who was impressive in her debut for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis and trainer Wally Dollase on Oct. 30.

The other two entrants are Penny’s Fortune, who will be making her first start for trainer Jenine Sahadi, and Stellar Jayne, who has won three of five for trainer Wayne Lukas.

Race of the day: Remind, who won twice on the Gulfstream Park turf last year, was among 15 horses entered in today’s $150,000 Appleton Handicap.

One for the road: National Legend makes his first start for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. in today’s sixth at Aqueduct, and the 3-year-old Forest Wildcat colt looks ready to break his maiden in his third race.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using C D Cruzer, Classic Form and Shuffling Kid in the fifth, singling A.P. Adventure in the sixth and Elusive City, Sun City Bradley, Sum Trick and The Griff in the seventh.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/25. Money: Previous day/meet total: $21.80/$133.60. Total money bet: $142.