Turf Is a Favorite of Favorite

Cambiocorsa has been dismal in two starts on the main track.

In her debut -- on Aug. 14, 2004, at Del Mar -- the Avenue Of Flags filly finished 12th, 28 1/4 lengths behind the victorious Memorette.

Nearly a year later at the same track, the gray finished eighth out of 10, losing to Proposed by a little more than 13 lengths in an optional claimer.

On turf, it has been a very different story.

Cambiocorsa, bred in California by John and Diane Fradkin, has won four of seven on the grass and has been especially fond of Santa Anita.

In fact, this filly, owned by Leatherman Racing LLC and trained by Doug O’Neill, has not lost in four starts on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.

A two-time winner at the meet, she will try to stay perfect in today’s seventh, a $59,000 optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs.

Cambiocorsa, purchased for $90,000 at the Barretts May sale in 2004, will break from the outside under Jon Court, who has been aboard for two of her four victories.

Going up against her will be Megec Blis, who came in second -- beaten by a neck at today’s distance -- in her first start for trainer Julio Canani on Jan. 19. The field also has Berbatim, Reforest and Fire Bolt, who was second in two previous races down the hill.

Race of the day: Stormina will return to the turf today at Gulfstream Park for her second U.S. start after finishing far back on a wet fast track last Oct. 27 at Belmont Park. John Velazquez will ride the 4-year-old Gulch filly for trainer Todd Pletcher in the $33,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles. It is the eighth race on the card. Stormina’s lone victory in France came at one mile and she was third in a Group II overseas.

One for the road: Flushing Meadows adds the blinkers for his first start since Oct. 10 in England and first for trainer Steve Asmussen in today’s seventh at Aqueduct. Channing Hill will ride the 5-year-old Grand Slam horse, who has won two of four on the main track, in the $47,000 allowance at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Samurai Master, Wilburs Mr. Ed and Diamond Sucker in the first, Number Juan in the second and Irish Honor, High Z and Valid Again in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/103. Money: (previous day/meet total): $13.40/$648.20. Total money bet: $616.