It Won’t Get Better for Martin

There is no way jockey Eddie Martin Jr. today will duplicate the day he had Sunday at the Fair Grounds in Louisiana.

That’s for certain, because he is riding only four horses.

On Sunday, Martin rode six winners, moving him into a tie for second in the track’s jockey standings.

Today, the veteran jockey is scheduled to be aboard Run For Trey in the third, Nobodys Listening in the fourth, Exploited Storm in the seventh and Smilin’ Slew in the ninth. And given the recent form of those horses, Martin will be fortunate to win once.

A 4-year-old, Louisiana-bred gelding, Run For Trey is 0 for 15, Nobodys Listening is 0 for 15 since the beginning of 2003, Exploited Storm has been seventh and ninth in his last two races for trainer Bobby Barnett, and Smilin’ Slew won only once in 15 races in 2003, finishing second or third nine times.

At Golden Gate Fields, racing will resume after a two-day break with a pick six carry-over of more than $62,000. Fields are short in the sequence. Only 38 horses entered the final six races on the program.

Race of the day: In the seventh at Santa Anita, Sarava will make only his second start since he won the 2002 Belmont Stakes as a 70-1 shot. He will face nine in a $65,000 optional claimer at one mile on turf, his first start on grass since he went 0 for 3 on the surface in England in 2001.

One for the road: Flirt With Danger makes her first start in California for successful trainer John Martin in the third at Golden Gate Fields, a $16,000 starter allowance at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, a surface over which the 9-year-old mare has earned five of her nine wins.

Exotically speaking: A pick all using L’effaceur in the first, Nor’wester and Nifty Lady in the second, Cosa Segura in the third, Lennyfromalibu in the fourth, Streakednorth, Julie’s Go Baby Go and Memogram in the fifth, Icee Cheaspeake in the sixth, Rock Opera and Barometric in the seventh and Cinder Ron and Apollo Jack in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/62. Money: Previous day/meet total: $12.20/$335.20. Total money bet: $346.