‘Judge, Skukuza Aim for Fourth Win in Row

Truly A Judge, the 9-2 second choice on Jeff Tufts’ morning line in today’s $250,000 San Antonio Handicap, isn’t the only horse entering the Grade II on a three-race winning streak.

Skukuza, a 5-year-old Lord Avie gelding, has taken his last three after beginning his career with two losses for owner Keith Abrahams and trainer John Sadler.

Idle for nearly eight months after finishing second against maidens in his first start around two turns, Skukuza has been perfect since his return. He beat maidens by two lengths as the even-money favorite here Oct. 14, upset heavily favored Crocker Road by a head in an allowance contest at Hollywood Park about three weeks later, and won in Arcadia on Dec. 29, prevailing by three-quarters of a length over a sloppy surface.

Making his first appearance in a graded race and the last major prep for next month’s Santa Anita Handicap, Skukuza is 20-1 on the morning line and will be ridden for the first time by Garrett Gomez.

Lundy’s Liability is the lukewarm 7-2 choice in the 1 1/8 -mile race. Owned by Stack and Stud TNT and trained by Bobby Frankel, the 5-year-old Candy Stripes horse won the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap on Oct. 2 in his only other appearance at Santa Anita. First post time today is 11 a.m. and the San Antonio is the sixth race.

Race of the day: Turn Back The Time will seek his third consecutive win for trainer Steve Klesaris in today’s eighth at Aqueduct against only five opponents. Richard Migliore, who earned his 4,000th career victory Friday, will ride the 7-year-old son of Dehere in the $48,000 optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles. Turn Back The Time has won three of 11 on Aqueduct’s inner track.

One for the road: Sea Siren improved when put on the grass for the first time and can break her maiden in her fifth career start in today’s fifth at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Corey Lanerie will ride the 3-year-old Stormy Atlantic filly for trainer Keith Desormeaux in the $28,000 maiden affair at about 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Arbun and Red Opal in the fifth, Lundy’s Liability, Star Cross, Total Impact and Truly A Judge in the sixth and Drake’s Victory in the seventh.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/84. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$437.20. Total money bet: $530.