Well-Bred In Excelsis Set to Make His U.S. Debut

On a Santa Anita card that includes three maiden claiming races, the best bred horse scheduled to run today is obvious.

In Excelsis, who is supposed to make his U.S. debut in today’s seventh race, a $48,000 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs, is a son of Fusaichi Pegasus and his mother is Lakeway.

Of course, Fusaichi Pegasus is best known for winning the 2000 Kentucky Derby and he has already demonstrated that he will be a successful sire. Lakeway, meanwhile, was hardly a slouch on the track. She won half of her 14 starts and one of her victories for owner Mike Rutherford and trainer Gary Jones came in the 1994 Santa Anita Oaks.

A winner of one of three starts in England and Ireland for owner Arnold Zetcher, In Excelsis will be making his first start on the main track this afternoon. Scheduled to race with Lasix for the first time, the bay colt, who was trained by Aidan O’Brien overseas and who is now under the care of Ron McAnally, will be ridden by Tyler Baze.

The probable favorite in the race is El Roblar. An impressive debut winner on Jan. 23 for a partnership that includes trainer Bruce Headley, the War Chant colt will break from the rail in the field of seven under jockey Gary Stevens.

Race of the day: Platinum Princess, who was overmatched in the Santa Monica Handicap, a Grade I, on Jan. 30 in her most recent start, drops into a more realistic spot against four other fillies and mares in today’s third at Bay Meadows. Bobby Gonzalez will ride the daughter of Wolf Power in the $33,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

One for the road: Rhythmic Motion should improve after being claimed by trainer Mike Mitchell on Feb. 5 and he returns for the same claiming price ($50,000) in today’s sixth at Gulfstream Park. John Velazquez will stay with the 5-year-old Irish River in the 1 1/8 -mile turf race.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Fallfree and Belbart in the first, Wayward Storm in the second, Enchanting Lady in the third, Silver Impact in the fourth, Free Cheers and Standing Tall in the fifth, My Tina and Twister Alley in the sixth, In Excelsis and El Roblar in the seventh and Stormofthefuture and Speed Rules in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/113. Money: Previous day/meet total: $21/$613.20. Total money bet: $736.