Buddy Gil in Turf Sprint

Buddy Gil hasn’t had much success since winning the 2003 Santa Anita Derby. The 4-year-old Eastern Echo gelding has won once in eight races since he edged Indian Express nearly 19 months ago.

Owned by a partnership that includes Desperado Stable and Billingsley Creek Ranch and trained by Jeff Mullins, Buddy Gil will try for his seventh lifetime win in today’s seventh, a $55,000 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf, at Santa Anita.

Perhaps the return to a turf sprint in Arcadia will be a benefit to Buddy Gil. The Kentucky-bred won the Baldwin Stakes last year as a 26-1 shot the only other time he ran down the hillside course. He will be ridden by Tyler Baze in a field that also includes Geronimo, Lennyfromalibu, Ride And Shine, My Cousin Matt and De Valmont.

A winner of seven of 15 on the grass, De Valmont went wire-to-wire in a five-furlong race at Del Mar last month in what was his first start of 2004. Mike Smith will ride the 7-year-old for owner David O’Connor and trainer Ruben Cardenas.

Lennyfromalibu will be seeking his sixth win in 12 starts on the Santa Anita turf course for trainer Barry Abrams. The Unusual Heat gelding was third in the Live The Dream Handicap on Sept. 8 at Del Mar.

Race of the day: Amarelle, who showed some promise early last year for trainer Mark Hennig, will make her first start in about 20 months in today’s third at Belmont Park. Jose Santos will ride Amarelle for owner-breeder Stewart Armstrong in the $57,000 optional claimer at one mile.

One for the road: Winning Stripes should get a quick pace to chase in today’s sixth at Bay Meadows and could be along in time for trainer Bill Morey Jr. Frank Alvarado will ride Winning Stripes in the $25,000 claimer for older horses at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using the Planning Surprises entry and Sip One For Mom in the fifth, Pepper Trail, Award Winning Team, Ata Olympio and Cahill Mango in the sixth, De Valmont in the seventh and Half Net, General Trick and General Bob in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 6/6. Money: Previous day/meet total: $37.20/$37.20. Total money bet: $18.