Baffert Will Try Again

Second with Resplendency in last year’s Torrey Pines Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert will try for a better result in the $100,000 race for 3-year-old fillies when he sends out Pussycat Doll and Pegasus Rose today at Del Mar.

Owned and bred by Mike Pegram, Pussycat Doll will be making her first start since she finished second to Sweet Catomine in the Santa Ysabel on Jan. 16 at Santa Anita.

A daughter of 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet, Pussycat Doll has trained well for her return and will try to win for the second time in five starts. Victor Espinoza will ride in the one-mile race.

Bred by owner B. Wayne Hughes, Pegasus Rose is a Fusaichi Pegasus filly who has won two of seven. Patrick Valenzuela will ride the dark bay, who was last seen winning an optional claimer July 14 at Hollywood Park.

The field of six is completed by Soldier’s Kiss, who has won four in a row for part owner and trainer Bruce Headley, Crystal House, a recent $50,000 claim by trainer Steve Knapp for owner Michael Miller, Thrilling Victory and Bella Banissa. Soldier’s Kiss and Bella Banissa will be trying two turns for the first time.

Race of the day: Sun Valley Anna, who has won four of her last six starts, will step into allowance company again when she takes on six opponents in the fourth at Bay Meadows.

Roberto Gonzalez will ride the 5-year-old Delineator mare for Walnut Valley Farms Inc. and trainer Kent Molinaro, who is 16 for 34 in 2005, in the $32,000 contest at one mile.

One for the road: Rockandahardplace gets off the rail today after drawing the inside post in his first two races and can break his maiden in the seventh at Saratoga. Pablo Fragoso will ride the 2-year-old Smoke Glacken colt for owner Gary Zwerling and trainer Mark Hennig in the $45,000 race at 6 1/2 furlongs. The price should be OK because Cab, who was second to the well-regarded Grand Survival in his debut Aug. 6, will be favored.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using It Was Meant To Be, Sumthinbad and St. Kilda in the fifth, Sex Machine, Grimm and Greenie in the sixth, Pussycat Doll in the seventh and Tiz Us, Speed Trap and Green Halo in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/95. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22.40/$565. Total money bet: $648.