Old Pros Ready to Run

A couple of old pros will run today in two different races on Santa Anita’s turf course.

Islander, a 9-year-old son of Rubiano who has won 17 times in his 45-race career with seven of those victories coming down the hill in Arcadia, will face 11 opponents in the fifth race, and Expresso Bay, a 10-time winner, takes on nine rivals in the seventh.

Re-claimed by trainer Ted H. West for a partnership for $50,000 on Jan. 10, Islander surfaces for the same price today and is the 3-1 choice on Jeff Tufts’ morning line.

Islander has lost three in a row since winning for West on Nov. 9 at the Oak Tree meet, but he has run well after layoffs before. Mike Smith will ride the Florida-bred.

Trained by Doug O’Neill for owner Pablo Suarez, Expresso Bay has been on the board (1-2-3) in 23 of 33 starts and has been first or second in five of six starts at today’s distance -- one mile.

Back in for the $80,000 he was claimed for Dec. 14, Expresso Bay has the rail with Martin Pedroza, the rider for his last five victories.

Race of the day: Demon Warlock, who has won two in a row, steps up a level after a claim by trainer Terry Gillhan and will seek his sixth lifetime victory in today’s seventh race, a $32,000 claimer at six furlongs, at Golden Gate Fields.

One for the road: Rhythmic Motion returns to the turf for trainer David Donk after getting crushed in his main track debut and first start in about 16 months Feb. 15. The Irish River gelding is perfect in two starts on the grass and could spring a mild upset in today’s eighth, a $36,000 allowance at about 1 3/8 miles, at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick all using The Borg Queen in the first, Honeypenny in the second, Chosen Honor in the third, Natural Style and Brite Bounty in the fourth, Islander, Cap Ferrat and Castor Troy in the fifth, Smiling Eyes in the sixth, Expresso Bay and Sardaukar in the seventh and Trick Of Time and Betphone in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/182. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.20/$969.80. Total money bet: $1,046.