Paris Next Year Favored

In a career that spans nine races, it has been feast or famine for Paris Next Year.

The 4-year-old Avenue Of Flags filly has won four times and been second once. But she has been dismal the rest of the time, finishing sixth twice, 10th, and being driven by van off the track on Dec. 4 after stumbling at the break and losing jockey Tyler Baze.

The California bred will be trying for her second win in a row in today’s fifth, a $25,000 claimer for 4-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Claimed out of her last start -- a 4 1/2 -length victory on Feb. 3 -- by trainer Steve Knapp for owners Jim and Marcia Equils, Paris Next Year will be trying for her first win beyond the $16,000 level since she broke her maiden against $40,000 state breds on May 1 at Hollywood Park.

Paris Next Year is the 8-5 favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line.

Race of the day: Wend, who broke her maiden in her turf debut on Jan. 2 at Tampa Bay Downs, will try tougher company in the eighth at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old Pulpit filly, who is trained by Bill Mott for Claiborne Farm, will be ridden by Jerry Bailey in the $33,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles.

One for the road: Victory Wanted, running for the second time for trainer Steve Asmussen, can pick up his third lifetime win in the eighth at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Brian Hernandez Jr. will be aboard the 3-year-old Victory Gallop colt in the $30,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Fresh Squeezed and Glamour Cat in the first, Keep On Punching and Carano in the second, Dreams Come True in the third, Seasonal King in the fourth, Paris Next Year in the fifth, Muddy Halo and High Zone in the sixth, Two Trail Sioux and Haleakala Sunrise in the seventh and Sweet Kendall Jo in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/102. Money: Previous day/meet total: $29.80/$547.40. Total money bet: $664.