Herc Strengthens Field

Since being claimed for $50,000 on Oct. 9, The Herc has won two of four starts and just missed a third victory when beaten by a neck in the $82,000 Gold Rush at Golden Gate Fields last month.

Owned by I.S. Longo Living Trust and trained by Gary Stute, the 3-year-old Lord Carson colt will try for his third win at Santa Anita in today’s $100,000 San Miguel Stakes at six furlongs.

After breaking his maiden by seven lengths the day he was claimed, The Herc won the Sunny Slope Stakes during the Oak Tree meet. Kent Desormeaux will ride the Herc.

In a race where nearly all of the entrants prefer to run on the lead, Last Minute Detail could be the beneficiary. The Devil’s Bag colt, owned by Jerry Little and trained by Don Chatlos Jr., rallied from nine lengths back to break his maiden in his career debut Dec. 7 at Hollywood Park. Victor Espinoza will ride.

From the inside out, the rest of the field is Hosco, Roi Charmant, Laditude, Gethsemani and Hot Weekend.

Race of the day: Harmony Lodge, winner of two of three starts at Gulfstream Park, heads a field of 11 fillies and mares in the $100,000 First Lady Handicap. The race is a Grade III at six furlongs.

One for the road: Request For Parole returns to a turf course he had success on last year in today’s eighth at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Pollock, Panoramic, Signature Sunday and Whenthewindblows in the sixth, Last Minute Detail in the seventh, Bat Mobile in the eighth and Ulloa, Total Advantage, Semoran’s Decision, Fourth And Long, Souvenir’s Lad and Royal Siphon in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/38. Money: Previous day/meet total: $8.80/$193.40. Total money bet: $226.