Scrofa Would Be Local Favorite

Scrofa, a California-bred daughter of Unusual Heat, has something no one else has in the field for the $75,000 Osunitas Handicap, which will be run today at Del Mar.

Specifically, a win over the local turf course. In her grass debut last Aug. 16, Scrofa won by 1 1/4 lengths as a 14-1 shot for a partnership and trainer George Papaprodromou.

Claimed for $62,500 by her current connections -- Omar Aldabbagh and STD Racing Stable and trainer Paul Aguirre -- Scrofa has had more success on the grass. She has won on three courses, having scored at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields.

A six-time winner in 20 starts, Scrofa is one of the contenders in the Osunitas, a restricted affair at 1 1/16 miles. Patrick Valenzuela, the meet’s leading rider after three weeks, has the mount.

The field includes Ticker Tape, one of the top 3-year-old turf fillies in the country in 2004 who is looking for her first win this year.

Race of the day: Slew Is King, who won three consecutive races at Hollywood Park, will try to keep the roll going in his Del Mar debut in today’s fifth. Tyler Baze will ride the 5-year-old Slewdledo gelding in the $62,500 claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Slew Is King won a $50,000 claimer by a head on July 17 in Inglewood in his turf debut. Other contenders include Blue Steller Noble Masterpiece and Ibero Grace.

One for the road: Apology Accepted will be tough to beat if able to run as well with the switch to turf in today’s seventh at Bay Meadows. Russell Baze will ride the 3-year-old filly for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the $30,000 optional claimer at 7 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Blue Steller in the fifth, Waki American and Orange’Em in the sixth and Cotopaxi, Ticker Tape and Secret Charm in the seventh.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/49. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16.40/$279.40. Total money bet: $294.