Geronimo Is a 2-1 Favorite

Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet, which began with a Grade I that featured Rock Hard Ten on Dec. 26, ends with a far less compelling main event this afternoon.

The final stakes race of the 85-day season is the $100,000 San Simeon Handicap, a Grade III at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Geronimo, a gelded son of Gold Tribute, is the 2-1 favorite in the field of six. Owned by a partnership and trained by John Sadler, the 6-year-old is seeking his second win of the meet and the 11th of his career.

On the day he was claimed for $80,000 by Sadler, Geronimo, who was bred in Chile, beat six rivals by a half-length as the 17-10 choice. In his first start for his new connections, Geronimo was second to Mighty Beau in a $61,600 allowance on March 27.

McCann’s Mojave, who has won five of nine, will try to rebound from two poor efforts earlier in the year for trainer Leonard Dorfman.

Race of the day: Desert Gal, who has won four of her last six, will make her first start for trainer Bill Spawr in today’s sixth at Santa Anita. Garrett Gomez will ride the 5-year-old Desert Wine mare, who has won three of five on the local main track, in the $48,000 allowance for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs. Spawr claimed Desert Gal for $35,000 for a partnership out of her latest victory Feb. 2.

One for the road: Thiscats- krafty steps up in search of his third win in a row after being claimed by trainer Armando Lage and can take today’s second at Bay Meadows.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Desert Gal in the sixth, Sigfreto, Master Heat, Ludicrous Speed and American All Star in the seventh, and Iza Big Star, Jammin JJ and Affidavit in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/217. Money: Previous day/meet total: $18.60/$1,180.80. Total money bet: $1,440.