Texcess to Try It on the Turf

Texcess, who hasn’t won since he was a 2-year-old, will switch surfaces in hopes of ending his drought in the seventh race today at Del Mar.

Winless in 14 starts since the beginning of 2005, Texcess, a 4-year-old In Excess gelding, will run on grass for only the second time in the $75,000 optional claimer at one mile.

Trained by Mike Mitchell, Texcess was fifth in his lone turf start in the Will Rogers, a Grade III, on May 28 at Hollywood Park. Trained by Paul Aguirre at that time -- several months before he was purchased by the partnership that now owns him -- the California-bred finished 4 3/4 lengths behind winner Osidy.

Texcess, who will be running in a non-graded stakes today for the first time since he finished third in the Sunshine Millions Classic, has three wins in 18 lifetime starts and earnings of $1,075,735. Victor Espinoza will ride.

In his most recent appearance, Texcess was fifth in the San Diego Handicap on July 22. Giacomo and Preachinatthebar, who finished 1-2 in that Grade II, validated the weakness of the race by finishing fifth and eighth, respectively, in the $1-million Pacific Classic on Sunday.

Race of the day: Ferocious Won will try for a little history in the $150,000 Albany today at Saratoga. The 3-year-old son of Lite The Fuse will become the first horse to sweep the OTB Big Apple Triple Sweep if he’s able to win the 1 1/8 -mile Albany. A victory would be worth a $250,000 bonus for owners Sandy Goldfarb, Ira Davis, Michael Glessberg and William Vidro. Ferocious Won won the Mike Lee at Belmont Park on June 25 and the New York Derby at Finger Lakes on July 15.

One for the road: Cumulus Nimbus missed by a head in his grass debut at Delaware Park on July 25 but can win on the class bump in the seventh race today at Saratoga. Edgar Prado will ride the 3-year-old Pulpit gelding for owner-breeder Stuart Janney III and trainer Shug McGaughey in the $75,000 maiden claimer at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Warning Zone and King At Play in the fourth, Sunset Place, Ended and Adamant in the fifth, and Master James in the sixth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/81. Money: (previous day/meet total): $9.40/$441.40. Total money bet: $512.