Three Degrees Back on Turf

An experiment on the main track turned out to be a disaster for Three Degrees.

The gray daughter of Singspiel, who has won three of nine on the turf, tried the dirt for the first time in the El Encino, a Grade II, on Jan. 16 at Santa Anita. The Irish bred couldn’t have run worse, finishing last in the field of seven, beaten 17 lengths by winner Proposed.

Now, nearly seven months later, the 4-year-old filly is back on her favorite surface as she meets nine others today at Del Mar in the $85,000 Osunitas Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Paddy Gallagher, Three Degrees has some solid works for her return and has run well fresh in the past. She broke her maiden in her U.S. debut on March 6, 2005 after being idle for about five months.

Like Three Degrees, Mea Domina has also been on the shelf. The 5-year-old Dance Brightly mare owned by breeder Janis Whitham and trained by Ron McAnally hasn’t been seen since winning the Las Palmas, a Grade II, Nov. 5 at Santa Anita.

A winner against maidens in her only previous start on the Del Mar turf, Mea Domina -- winner of six of 11 -- will have Tyler Baze aboard.

Completing the field, from the inside out, are Midwife, Sky Dreams, Revealed, Beautyandthebeast, Tanta Suerte, Dalicia, Starkay and Polyfirst.

Race of the day: Virden, a winner in her first start for trainer Bobby Frankel on June 22 at Churchill Downs, will make her initial appearance at Saratoga in the $70,000 De La Rose today. Rafael Bejarano will ride the 4-year-old Tactical Cat filly for a partnership in the one-mile turf race for older fillies and mares. Virden, who won the 2005 Senorita as a 26-1 shot at Hollywood Park, is unbeaten in three races on grass.

One for the road: Evening Fire finished second in her turf debut July 29 at Santa Rosa and looks to be the lone closer in a race filled with speed in the ninth on the opening day card at the Bay Meadows Fair. Roberto Gonzalez will ride the 3-year-old Black Minnaloushe filly for owner-trainer Richard Miller in the $12,500 claimer at 7 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Delivering Speed and Smile N Wildcat in the fourth, Quebra Mar in the fifth and Midnight Cabinet, Buddyandrowdy, Snow Fighter, Master James and Dr. Sinatra in the sixth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/55. Money: (previous day/meet total): $4.40/$299.40. Total money bet: $308.