Dirt Is to ‘Digger’s Liking

Ditch Digger, winner of 12 of 32 starts, has run well at all of the local racetracks but the 9-year-old gelding has been especially effective on Santa Anita’s main track.

Ditch Digger is unbeaten in three starts on the Arcadia dirt and he’ll try to stay perfect when he takes on nine opponents in today’s sixth, a $32,000 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Bred in Argentina, Ditch Digger will be making his first appearance at Santa Anita since he finished fourth on the turf in an optional claimer April 10. Five weeks before that defeat, the dark bay had won a $40,000 claimer on dirt, beating four rivals by 4 1/4 lengths as the 11-10 favorite.

Ditch Digger will be ridden by Rene Douglas, who rode the gelding for the first time Sept. 26, when Ditch Digger finished second to Coded Message at Fairplex Park.

Among the others, only Onebigbag is a multiple winner on Santa Anita’s main track.

A 4-year-old Abaginone gelding, Onebigbag has won twice here, but is dropping off a claim after being taken for $40,000 on Aug. 14 by trainer Chris Paasch.

Race of the day: Can I Call You Dad will try for her fourth win in seven starts on the Bay Meadows turf course in today’s seventh. Ron Warren Jr. will ride the 4-year-old daughter of Corslew for trainer Aggie Ordonez in the $25,000 claimer at one mile.

One for the road: Guana should be set for her best effort in her third start after a long layoff in today’s eighth, a $58,000 allowance at one mile on the turf, at Keeneland. The 5-year-old Sillery mare had a troubled trip when a close fourth at Kentucky Downs last month and gets a jockey change to Pat Day. She also has a win and a third in three previous starts on the Keeneland turf.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Vennys Public and Slew’s House in the fifth, Ditch Digger, Martinblestme and Feature Story in the sixth, Spencer’s Magic, Drake’s Victory and Pioneerman in the seventh, and Daily Forecast in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/37. Money: Previous day/meet total: $9.20/$209.70. Total money bet: $192.