Toccet Will Give Turf a Second Try

No one can blame owner Daniel Borislow and trainer John Scanlan for trying Toccet on turf again in today’s $200,000 San Luis Rey Handicap, considering how the Awesome Again colt ran the only other time he tried the grass.

Arguably the most mismanaged horse in the country since the start of 2003, Toccet finished eighth, beaten by 23 lengths, in his grass debut in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last Oct. 25.

Winless in his last nine starts after having won seven of his first nine races, the 4-year-old is back for more punishment against 10 rivals in the San Luis Rey, a Grade II at 1 1/2 miles.

The 7-2 favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line is Puerto Banus, who has won two of three races at the San Luis Rey distance, including last month’s San Luis Obispo Handicap.

Race of the day: Shakespeare, who was poetry in motion in winning his debut for owners Bill Schettine and Dell Ridge Farm and trainer Bill Mott, will try to beat 11 other 3-year-olds in today’s $60,000, 1 1/8-mile Caltech on grass at Gulfstream Park. Other contenders include Prince Arch, Caiman, Pincay and Pa Pa Da.

One for the road: Credentialed will get a fast track for the first time as she debuts for high-percentage trainer John Martin in today’s sixth, a $16,000 maiden claimer at six furlongs, at Golden Gate Fields. The Cost Conscious filly was 3-1 on a sloppy track in her debut Feb. 16.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Oro Desert, Heroic Spirit and Two Thirty Seven in the fifth, Terrell in the sixth and Victory Girl, Haleakala Sunrise and M.A. Fox in the seventh.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/185. Money: Previous day/meet total: $12.80/$982.60. Total money bet: $1,062.