Canani Hopes ‘Power Is On

Back in the barn of trainer Julio Canani, Max Power will try to win for the 11th time in his career today at Del Mar.

Reclaimed by Canani for owner Javier Cardenas out of a terrible performance June 4 at Hollywood Park, Max Power, an 8-year-old gelding, is brought back at a higher level this afternoon. He is entered in the fifth, a $20,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles, after being taken for $16,000.

Before Canani lost the Australian bred for $12,500 on May 18, Max Power had won five times in seven races since being taken for $25,000 on Aug. 28 at Del Mar, with one of the wins coming via disqualification.

Martin Pedroza, who was aboard for all five of the victories and who rode Amorama to an upset for Canani in the John C. Mabee Handicap on Saturday, has the call today.

The other contenders in the first leg of the pick four are Trendy, who is dropping in class and returning to his preferred surface for trainer and co-owner Juan Garcia, and Hotel Hall, who has a win and a second in two previous starts on the Del Mar main track.

Race of the day: We All Love Aleyna, who demonstrated a fondness for the Del Mar turf course a year ago, makes his second start of 2005 in today’s seventh. Garrett Gomez will ride the 4-year-old Nines Wild gelding in the $70,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

One for the road: Velziegellaub should get a contested pace to chase as he makes his debut for trainer Ed Moger Jr. in today’s 10th on the closing day card at Solano. Francisco Duran will ride the 5-year-old Dance Brightly gelding in the $12,500 claimer at one mile.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Max Power in the fifth; Midnight Lute, Evaluate and Outlaw Jones in the sixth; We All Love Aleyna, Royal Price and Grafton in the seventh; and Swiss Z, Colombini, Blind Harry and Senior Discount in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/14. Money: Previous day/meet total: $15.80/$82.20. Total money bet: $88.