A Trouble-Free Trip Would Suit Terroplane

With a little bit of luck, Terroplane could have won the Wickerr Handicap on July 30 at Del Mar.

The 4-year-old gray gelding was forced very wide into the stretch while rallying and wound up finishing third, beaten by a nose and a neck.

The trouble Terroplane and others endured led to a lengthy stewards’ inquiry, but no change was made in the order of finish because it was ruled correctly that the problems were caused by also-ran Golden Arrow, who, like Terroplane, is trained by Neil Drysdale.

Looking for his second win of 2005, Terroplane, who will be ridden by Corey Nakatani, is hoping for a less eventful trip today when he takes on five others in the $75,000 Harry F. Brubaker Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Owned by a partnership, the French-bred Terroplane will be opposed by Positive Prize, Kilkea Castle, Just Wonder, who finished fourth in the Wickerr, Running Free and Deputy Lad.

The lone 3-year-old, Positive Prize, will be making his first start on turf for trainer Roger Stein. The son of Prized was fifth of six in the Lazaro Barrera Memorial in his California debut on May 21 at Hollywood Park after winning four of five as a 2-year-old at Emerald Downs near Seattle.

Race of the day: Top Shoter, who has won four of five starts at Saratoga, will seek his fourth consecutive win for owner-trainer Charlton Baker in the $65,000 John Morrissey today. John Velazquez will ride the 6-year-old Ormsby gelding in the 6 1/2- furlong contest restricted to New York breds. Top Shoter has won 11 of 21 in his career.

One for the road: Tia Lea is bred to win early being by Songandaprayer and should come out running in her debut in today’s third at Arlington Park. Leading rider Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the dark bay 2-year-old filly for Winning Horses Stable and Choctaw Racing and trainer Lynn Whiting in the $25,000 maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Royal Moro and Robs Coin in the first, Summer Survivor in the second, Gray Black N White in the third, Terroplane and Deputy Lad in the fourth, Tomcolee, Raise Expectations and Royal Irish in the fifth, Imperial Tower and Thinking Of Money in the sixth, Passionate Heat in the seventh and Have Confidence in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/68. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$407.80. Total money bet: $428.