McCann’s Mojave Is Up for First Start Since May

McCann’s Mojave, a 5-year-old son of Memo who has won five of seven, will make his first start since May 1 in today’s $100,000 El Conejo Handicap at Santa Anita.

Owned and bred by Alix Nikki Hunt and Mike Willman and trained by 82-year-old Leonard Dorfman, McCann’s Mojave has won four of five at Santa Anita, including a victory by 1 3/4 lengths in his last appearance there in the Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap on March 28.

He suffered one of his two losses in his last race, but he was hardly disgraced, finishing second to Speightstown in the Churchill Downs Handicap on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Speightstown later won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and may very well be voted the Eclipse Award as the champion sprinter.

Jose Valdivia Jr., who has two wins and a second in three collaborations with McCann’s Mojave, has the call in the 5 1/2 -furlong race that also attracted Don’tsellmeshort, Woke Up Dreamin, Areyoutalkintome, Day Trader, Britt’s Jules, Hombre Rapiado, Revello and Bluesthestandard.

Race of the day: Maysville, who won her first two starts at Delaware Park and Pimlico by a combined 17 1/4 lengths, will make her Aqueduct debut in today’s $75,000 Ruthless Stakes. Michael Pino trains the 3-year-old Notebook filly for owner Daniel Ryan. Pelham Bay, Megascape, who won the Valley Stream on Nov. 21, Whatatrophy Rack, Academy Brass and Dancin On Broadway complete the field.

One for the road: Diplomatic Agent improved a bunch when stretched out on the turf on Nov. 25 and can score again for Juddmonte Farms and trainer Chris Speckert in today’s ninth at the Fair Grounds. Robby Albarado will ride the 4-year-old Deputy Minister colt in the $30,000 allowance at about 1 1/8 miles on the grass.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Financial in the first, Great White North and Passion For Words in the second, Mother in the third, Sienna’s Lane in the fourth, La Danielle and Espy in the fifth, Tattletale Tonya in the sixth, Song Of The Bull and Afternoon In Rio in the seventh, McCann’s Mojave and Areyoutalkintome in the eighth and Dominated Girl and Battledress in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/20. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22.80/$118.80. Total money bet: $104.