Strub Draws a Derby Pack

Giacomo isn’t the only member of the field for the $300,000 Strub Stakes, which will be run for the 59th time today at Santa Anita, who participated in last year’s Kentucky Derby.

While Giacomo, who hasn’t run since finishing seventh in the Belmont Stakes last June 11, was winning the Derby at 50-1, Greeley’s Galaxy, High Limit and Wilko were back in the pack.

Fresh off his 9 1/2 -length win in the Illinois Derby less than a month earlier, Greeley’s Galaxy finished 11th in Louisville. High Limit was last in the field of 20. Wilko was the best of the trio, checking in sixth.

Things haven’t improved much for Greeley’s Galaxy, High Limit and Wilko since Kentucky. Between them, they have one win in 11 starts since last May 7. High Limit provided the victory when he held on to beat Buckland Manor by a nose in the San Pasqual Handicap on Jan. 7.

Wilko, who is also entered in the San Antonio on Sunday, has the longest losing streak of the Derby runners. He has lost seven races since his claim to fame, a 28-1 upset in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

The rest of the Strub field is Top This And That, Alexandersrun, Dixie Meister, Hockey The General, Ulistentome, Ice Cole, Actxecutive and Canteen.

Race of the day: Bushfire, who has won two of three, will make her graded stakes debut in the $150,000 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park. The Grade II is run at 1 1/8 miles.

One for the road: On Thin Ice is an improving gelding who comes off a big win in the Hal’s Hope and can make a successful jump into a Grade I in the $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride for D J Stable LLC and trainer Joe Orseno. He could be a key in the final leg of the Magna Five.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Sir George Prize in the first, Pure As Gold, Quintons Relaunch and Accountable Event in the second and Bob And John and Sacred Light in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/82. Money: (previous day/meet total): $10.40/$525.40. Total money bet: $492.