Two Race to the Finish

With five days left in the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita, Victor Espinoza and Patrick Valenzuela are separated by one winner in the jockey standings.

Espinoza, who led the 2003-04 season with 89 victories, has 72 victories to 71 for Valenzuela, who led the standings here last year with 69.

Espinoza, who has ridden 23 fewer horses, is named on four mounts today. Valenzuela also will ride four.

Valenzuela’s best chance might be with Leo Getz in the second, a $58,000 optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Owned by a partnership that includes actor Joe Pesci and trainer Wesley Ward, Leo Getz, a 4-year-old colt named for the character Pesci played in some of the “Lethal Weapon” movies, has won two of three down the hill. In his last start Jan. 11, he prevailed by a nose under Valenzuela in a $50,000 allowance.

The best opportunity for Espinoza might be R Striker. A 4-year-old Smart Strike gelding trained by Mike Marlow, he will be looking for his third victory in a weak $10,000 claimer that is the fourth on the card. R Striker drew the outside post in the field of six going 1 1/16 miles.

Garrett Gomez, third in the standings with 65 wins, is scheduled to ride three horses -- Silver Hawk Lady in the sixth, Bardy Woman in the seventh and Walkonkaydeeavenue in the eighth.

Race of the day: Rises The Phoenix, who won an allowance race by 8 1/2 lengths the last time he ran on the main track at Aqueduct, heads a field of six in a $46,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles today. Mike Luzzi will ride the 5-year-old Lion Cavern horse for owners Bruce Grossman and Keith Dickstein and trainer Jason Servis in the race, which is the eighth on the card and is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $49,843.

One for the road: Faulkwood Shores is the controlling speed as he drops into a soft spot for trainer Ian Wilkes and can wire his seven opponents in the third race today at Gulfstream Park. Chantal Sutherland will ride the 3-year-old With Approval gelding in the $25,000 maiden claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using It Was The Dukes in the fifth, Silver Hawk Lady, Red Opal and In High Form in the sixth and the Kelly Mac entry and Rebel Creek in the seventh.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/234. Money: (previous day/meet total): $17.40/$1,334.40. Total money bet: $1,402.