Someone Has to Be a Winner in the Escondido Handicap

The four horses and one mare scheduled to run in the $85,000 Escondido Handicap today at Del Mar have not done much winning in 2006.

One Off, Runaway Dancer, Leprechaun Kid, On The Acorn and Aubonne are a combined one for 14 this year.

Aubonne, a 6-year-old German-bred mare, has the lone victory. She won the La Zanzara against her own sex Jan. 27 at Santa Anita for owner Gary Tanaka and trainer Neil Drysdale, who is also scheduled to run One Off, who is 0 for 4 this year.

Leprechaun Kid, a 7-year-old son of 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup, was fourth in his one race of the year, beaten nearly five lengths by T.H. Approval in the Sunset Breeders’ Cup Handicap on July 16 at Hollywood Park.

With that race behind him, the gray could be ready for a much-improved effort over a course on which he has had success. Last August, in his first race after being claimed by trainer Mike Mitchell for a partnership, Leprechaun Kid won the Del Mar Handicap by a nose.

Race of the day: Summerly, the winner of the 2005 Kentucky Oaks, will make her first start in more than a year in the $70,000 Ashado today at Saratoga. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the 4-year-old Summer Squall filly for the first time for owner Ron Winchell and trainer Scott Blasi in the 1 1/8 -mile race. Summerly has won five of 10 in her career and earned more than $839,000. The Ashado is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $57,010.

One for the road: Intimate Obsession drops into an easier spot and should improve second time out in the third race today at Santa Rosa. Chad Schvaneveldt will ride the 3-year-old Olympio filly out of the productive mare Quella B. for owner-breeder Legacy Ranch and trainer Brian Koriner in the $20,000 maiden claimer for older fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Chaseur and Master Perfect in the sixth, Leprechaun Kid in the seventh and City Swagger, Bahri’s Gold and Fighting Wonder in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/39. Money: (previous day/meet total): $14.20/$211.40. Total money bet: $206.