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Arson Squad Gets Fired Up

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Arson Squad, who earned his initial graded stakes win by beating Point Determined and A.P. Warrior in the Swaps Breeders’ Cup on July 8 at Hollywood Park, will try for another first in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap today at Del Mar.

The 3-year-old Brahms gelding will make his first appearance on turf in the Grade II race at 1 1/16 miles that serves as the final prep for the $400,000 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 3.

Owned by Mace and Samantha Siegel’s Jay Em Ess Stable and trained by Bruce Headley, Arson Squad has won three of six and has every reason to take to the grass. Brahms, his sire, was a stakes winner on the surface. Alex Solis will ride the Pennsylvania bred as he seeks his first win in the La Jolla since scoring with Fantastic Fellow in 1997.

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A.P. Warrior, who finished third in the Swaps, also will be making his first start on turf. The A.P. Indy colt, who is owned by Stan Fulton and trained by John Shirreffs, has won three of 11 and will break from the rail under jockey David Flores.

The La Jolla also attracted Caribbean, The Five J’s, Icy Ridge, Get Funky and Porto Santo.

Race of the day: Relaxed Gesture, who finished second to King’s Drama in the 2005 Sword Dancer Invitational, is back for another shot at the Grade I race today at Saratoga. Kent Desormeaux will ride the 5-year-old son of Indian Ridge in the race at 1 1/2 miles on turf.

The Sword Dancer is part of a national pick four that includes the $200,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga and the $750,000 Beverly D. and the Arlington Million from Arlington Park.

One for the road: Ada’s Dream looked good breaking her maiden July 9 at Churchill Downs and can win right back in her first start for trainer Tom Amoss in the $45,000 Smart Deb today at Arlington. Mark Guidry will ride the 3-year-old Touch Gold filly in the six-furlong race.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Hotel Hall in the second, Sixth Street Joe and Seems To Me in the third and Wee Jinky, Gimme S’mor, Full In and Stephen Bruce in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/61. Money: (previous day/meet total): $9.40/$339.40. Total money bet: $356.

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