Frankel Reloads With Promising Argentina

Intercontinental, winner of the Eclipse Award as the top female turf performer of 2005, may be retired, but don’t cry for Bobby Frankel.

Although Argentina will have to go some to match the accomplishments of Intercontinental, who clinched her Eclipse with an upset victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf Oct. 29, she arrives from France with impressive credentials.

The 4-year-old daughter of Sadler’s Wells, Argentina is among nine scheduled to go 1 1/8 miles on the turf in today’s fifth at Santa Anita.

The $56,000 optional claimer is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $108,110.

Owned by Wildenstein Stable and bred in Ireland, Argentina won two of six in France and was second in three of her losses.

Although she failed to win a group stakes overseas, Argentina was runner-up in two Group I events.

In the French Oaks last June at Chantilly, Argentina was second to the extremely talented Divine Proportions.

One race earlier, she was second to Vadawina in the Prix Saint Alary in May at Longchamp.

Argentina, who will have Alex Solis aboard, was a winner at today’s distance in her debut on Oct. 25, 2004.

Race of the day: Point Determined, who beat maidens by 5 1/2 lengths when stretched out for the first time on Jan. 13, will try winners for the first time in today’s seventh at Santa Anita. David Flores will ride the promising 3-year-old son of Point Given for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis and trainer Bob Baffert in the $52,000 allowance at one mile.

Point Determined, who finished third in his sprint debut, was purchased for $750,000 last March at Barretts.

One for the road: Fleet Indian makes her first start for trainer Todd Pletcher in search of her third consecutive victory and can make a successful debut on the inner track at Aqueduct in the $60,000 Strolling Belle today.

Ramon Dominguez will ride the 5-year-old Indian Charlie mare for owner Stan Fulton in the race at a mile and 70 yards. The Strolling Belle is the eighth on the card.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Splashof Panache in the first, Whoopi Again, Timber Time, Palikari Mou and Midnighter in the second and Alpenwald, Striking Cobra and Worksformoney in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/80. Money: (previous day/meet total): $5.80/$515. Total money bet: $476.