Dwango, Spellbinder Get the Nod

A couple of 3-year-olds who have designs on bigger races will meet in today’s fourth, a $56,000 optional claimer at one mile, at Santa Anita.

Dwango, a son of Royal Academy, is the 8-5 favorite in the race while Spellbinder, a Tale of the Cat colt, is the 2-1 second choice.

The horses earned their maiden victories at the direct expense of Wimbledon, supposedly the best of trainer Bob Baffert’s 3-year-olds.

Dwango broke his maiden by six lengths in his third career outing, then was second as the 4-5 favorite in his first route. He finished 1 1/2 lengths behind longshot winner Borrego on Dec. 27 but should move forward off the outing.

Spellbinder earned his initial victory at today’s distance. He seems on the upswing and the $375,000 yearling purchase acts as if he’s the type who will improve with yardage.

Race of the day: Badge Of Silver, who won his first three starts by a combined 26 lengths before he flopped at 6-5 in the Louisiana Derby last March 9, will make his first start since in today’s ninth at the Fair Grounds. Robby Albarado will ride the 4-year-old Silver Deputy colt in the $34,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

One for the road: Amon makes his first start for trainer Bill Mott in today’s eighth at Gulfstream Park and the 4-year-old Belong to Me colt should move forward with the stable switch.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Avalanche Bay and Smart Thought in the sixth, Denied, Inesperado and Trial By Jury in the seventh and The Road Boss and Mizter Bubbles in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/64. Money: Previous day/meet total: $9/$344.20. Total money bet: $362.