Bordonaro Aims to Extend Streak

Bordonaro, who broke his maiden against $32,000 claimers on April 1 last year at Santa Anita, will try for his second graded stakes career victory today in Arkansas.

The 5-year-old Memo gelding, who is owned by breeders Fred Carrillo and Daniel Cassella and trained by Bill Spawr, will face six opponents in the $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap today at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs.

The California-bred has won three in a row, including the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint in his first start outside his home state. On Jan. 28, he won by three-quarters of a length as the 3-2 favorite at Gulfstream Park.

Patrick Valenzuela, who has been aboard for Bordonaro’s last two victories, has the call this afternoon in the Grade III at six furlongs. Level Playingfield, Rodeo’s Castle, Semaphore Man, That Tat, Friendly Island and Santana Springs will provide the opposition.

Level Playingfield, Rodeo’s Castle, Semaphore Man and That Tat are all Oaklawn Park specialists. The four horses have combined for 17 victories over the surface.

Race of the day: Petrus, who has been first, second or third in six of seven career starts on the turf, will make his first start since last Oct. 1 in the seventh race today at Santa Anita. Victor Espinoza will ride the 4-year-old Silver Hawk gelding for trainer Neil Drysdale and Relatively Stable in the $53,000 allowance at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass.

One for the road: Corpus Sand has won two of his last three and can win the opening night feature, the $50,000 Premiere, at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. Quincy Hamilton will ride the 4-year-old Sand Tunnel colt for trainer Gerald Romero in the one-mile race. This is the first of a 66-day meet at Lone Star.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the eighth keying Ivy League Genius on top with Tricky Viviana, Evanjelina and Dumaanifromheaven in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/226. Money: (previous day/meet total): $6.80/$1,285.60. Total money bet: $1,332.