Elloluv Tries to End Skid

Of the seven fillies and mares entered in today’s $75,000 Piedra Foundation Handicap at Del Mar who have raced in 2004, only two are winless this year.

It’s not surprising Sparkling Ava, who will be a longshot in the one-mile race that is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $160,854, hasn’t won. She also was winless in 2003 and is winless in 12 since the beginning of last year.

What is stunning is that Elloluv also is winless in 2004. A two-time Grade I winner for owner J. Paul Reddam and trainer Craig Dollase, the 4-year-old Gilded Time filly hasn’t come close in either of her races this year, finishing sixth each time.

In fact, Elloluv, who won the 2002 Hollywood Starlet in her graded stakes debut, hasn’t won since taking the Ashland, a Grade I, at Keeneland on April 5, 2003. She has lost six in a row since that wire-to-wire victory against a field that included, among others, Lady Tak and Holiday Lady.

In trying to regain her best form, Elloluv will add blinkers today against Shezsospiritual, Coconut Girl, Magnificent Val, Letra De Cambio, Diamond Tiara, Sparkling Ava and Saintly Persuasion.

Magnificent Val, a 5-year-old Pioneering mare, will be making her first start for trainer Bill Spawr after being claimed for $80,000 by owners Sid and Jenny Craig on July 22.

If she wins, it will be her first victory in her 10th start on the main track.

Race of the day: Praise The Prince, the defending champion, and seven other steeplechasers are scheduled to run in the $100,000 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap today at Saratoga. Gus Brown will ride Praise The Prince, a 9-year-old, New Zealand-bred gelding, in the Grade I at 2 3/8 miles on the grass.

One for the road: Settle Up was beaten by a nose in his first against winners Aug. 7 and can make amends with a clean trip in today’s eighth at Saratoga.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Talega De Oro and Alpenwald in the fourth, Novel in the fifth and Quatrain, La Scala and Good Student in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/98. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11/$536.20. Total money bet: $630.