Stockton Enters the Mix

The first of the county fair meets in northern California begins today.

Stockton begins its 10-day run, and for the first time in recent memory, the track, for a couple of days anyway, won’t overlap with Golden Gate Fields, which will be closed today and Thursday before the final three days of its meet.

There are 10 races on the first Stockton card, all for thoroughbreds, although quality is not an attribute for any of them. Every race is a claimer and the most expensive price tag on any horse is $12,500.

At Hollywood Park, Our Free Bee will try for her third win of the meet when she takes on five other 3-year-old fillies in today’s second, a $20,000 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Claimed for $40,000 by trainer Danny Velasquez for owner John Pinner on Jan. 5, Our Free Bee, a gray daughter of Free House, has won two of five since the purchase, but she needed to drop significantly to win. Paul Atkinson will ride Our Free Bee, who has won five of 10 overall.

Race of the day: Freedom Isn’t Free, who has won both of his starts for Team Valor and My Sweething Stable and trainer Dominic Galluscio, will try to remain perfect against six opponents in today’s seventh at Belmont Park. Edgar Prado will become the third rider for the 3-year-old Fly So Free colt in the $48,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $44,899.

One for the road: Burrowing Owl should improve with more distance and a switch to turf and can spring a mild surprise in the sixth at Churchill Downs. Larry Melancon will ride the 3-year-old Northern Spur colt for owner Elizabeth Lavin and trainer Tony Reinstedler in the $48,300 race for older maidens at one mile.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using Diplomat Lady and Tiger On The Loose in the first, Our Free Bee, Gateway Arch and Holiday Fun in the second, Bubbles Again, Aeblus, Fresh Squeezed and Pavona in the third and County in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/94 Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.20/$469.30. Total money bet: $674.