‘Wire Can Connect Again

The record for most victories at a Santa Anita winter-spring meet is six, a milestone shared by four thoroughbreds.

Dandini was the first to accomplish the feat, winning half a dozen during the 1967-68 season. Page (1970-71) and Chief Artist (1978-79) followed and Natural Splendor was the last to do it, during the 1983-84 meet.

This afternoon, Fly To The Wire will aim for his fifth victory of the current stand as he faces eight others in the fifth, a $22,000 starter allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Bob Hess Jr., Fly To The Wire, claimed for $20,000 by his current connections Dec. 3, has not lost since the day he was claimed. In fact, he has won seven of his last eight and has 10 victories in 26 lifetime starts.

In three of Fly To The Wire’s victories during the meet, Kent Desormeaux was aboard. But with Desormeaux now riding in New York, apprentice Juan Ochoa will be aboard the 6-year-old Birdonthewire gelding today.

While having won seven of 11 starts at Santa Anita, Fly To The Wire’s recent victories all have come around one turn; he is winless in three races at today’s trip.

The main danger to Fly To The Wire is Lord Albion. Second to the streaker March 17 in his first race of 2006, Lord Albion, an 8-year-old Lord At War gelding, is more accomplished around two turns. He is four for eight at 1 1/16 miles. Garrett Gomez will ride for trainer John Sadler.

Race of the day: Dubai Escapade, two for two in the U.S., will make her graded stakes debut against 10 other fillies and mares in the $200,000 Vinery Madison today at Keeneland. Edgar Prado will ride the 4-year-old Awesome Again filly for Darley Stable and trainer Eoin Harty in the Grade II at seven furlongs.

One for the road: Dot’sbrush gets a boost in class after being claimed by high-percentage trainer Anthony Dutrow and can win today’s sixth at Aqueduct. Desormeaux will ride the 3-year-old Brushed On colt in the one-mile race for New York-bred maidens.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Lord Albion in the fifth, Top Authority, Stephen Bruce and Scadu in the sixth and Neko Bay and Fear No Darkness in the seventh.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/224. Money: (previous day/meet total): $15/$1,278.80. Total money bet: $1,316.