Dodgers’ Penny Hopes for Another Good Outing

The Dodgers have an off day today before playing in Atlanta on Tuesday, and pitcher Brad Penny, who beat the New York Mets on Sunday, probably will be focused on Del Mar late this afternoon.

Specifically, the seventh race, a $60,000 optional claimer for California breds at six furlongs.

Penny is one of the owners of Excess Temptations, a 3-year-old In Excess gelding who has run very well for trainer Howard Zucker in his first two starts.

Bred by John Harris, who also owns part of Excess Temptations, the bay broke his maiden at first asking on June 16 at Hollywood Park, winning by three-quarters of a length going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

In his main track debut on July 30, Excess Temptations finished second, beaten less than a length by Bordonaro going today’s distance at Del Mar.

Jon Court has been the gelding’s rider in his first two outings, and he has the mount again today.

Excess Temptations will be coupled in the betting with Excess Taxes, an impressive maiden winner for trainer Bill Spawr on July 22.

Other contenders in the race include Sabalucious, a recent claim by trainer Jeff Mullins for Triple J Racing, Maximum Heat and Go Wild.

Race of the day: Defending champion Spanish Spur heads a field of eight marathon specialists set to travel 1 5/8 miles on the Saratoga turf in today’s $65,000 John’s Call.

Owned by Augustin Stables and trained by Jonathan Shepphard, Spanish Spur, a 7-year-old Indian Ridge gelding, hasn’t run since winning this race by three lengths a year ago. Perfect in two starts at Saratoga, Spanish Spur will be ridden by Cornelio Velasquez. Other contenders include Brickell, Rousing Victory and Stage Call, who has won both of his races on the Saratoga turf.

One for the road: Weekend Weather has improved with each start for trainer Frank Gomez and can win if he takes to the turf in today’s sixth at Calder. Manny Aguilar will ride the 2-year-old Tiger Ridge colt, who beat maidens by five lengths on July 16, in the $30,000 allowance at five furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Highest Honoree, Alpenwald and Miss Lonestar in the fifth; Sandra’s Rose and It’z All Mine in the sixth; the Excess Temptations entry and Go Wild in the seventh; and Stevie D and Suddenlyglitter in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/64. Money: Previous day/meet total: $20.20/$381.60. Total money bet: $396.