Forecast for Santa Anita Calls for a Meteor Storm

Meteor Storm will try to become the fourth horse to win the San Luis Rey Handicap in consecutive years when the race is run for the 54th time today at Santa Anita.

Cedar Key was the first to go back to back, winning in 1965 and the second division of the 1 1/2 -mile turf race in 1966. Noble Dancer won in 1978-79 and John Henry did it most recently, winning in 1980 and ’81 for owners Sam and Dorothy Rubin and trainer Ron McAnally.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Wally Dollase, who won the San Luis Rey for the first time with the mare Windsharp in 1996, Meteor Storm was fourth in the Kilroe Mile in his first race of 2005 and should be more comfortable at today’s distance.

Besides winning the San Luis Rey last year, the 6-year-old son of Bigstone also won the San Juan Capistrano and the Manhattan Handicap, a Grade I, on June 5 at Belmont Park.

Jose Valdivia Jr. gets the ride.

The horse to catch and beat is Star Over The Bay.

The 7-year-old gray gelding has won four of six since being claimed by trainer Mike Mitchell for a partnership.

A victory in the San Luis Rey would be his fourth in five starts over the Santa Anita turf course.

Tyler Baze will ride the 120-pound highweight.

Race of the day: Nicole’s Dream, who has won 11 of 19 on the turf, will make her first start since Nov. 13 in today’s eighth at Gulfstream Park.

Jockey E.T. Baird will ride the 5-year-old Northern Trend mare for Dare To Dream Stable LLC and trainer Larry Rivelli in the $46,000 allowance at five furlongs.

One for the road: Gypsy Jazz could be the controlling speed in today’s third at Bay Meadows and gets a confident boost in class from trainer Donna Elordi. After being claimed for $4,000 out of a victory on Feb. 21, the 5-year-old Unbridled gelding is brought back against $12,500 foes this afternoon. Roberto Gonzalez gets the ride in the one-mile race.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using All The Boys and Ay Caramba in the sixth, Mashiko in the seventh, Meteor Storm, Star Over The Bay and Epicentre in the eighth and Solid Fuel, Preachintothechoir, Smary Charm and Travelin’ Jack in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/168. Money: Previous day/meet total: $10.40/$901.80. Total money bet: $1,130.