Jet West, Perfect So Far, Faces Test in El Conejo

Jet West will try to stay perfect for owner Bruce Hochman and trainer Ted H. West when he makes his graded stakes debut in the $100,000 El Conejo Handicap today at Santa Anita.

Claimed for $62,500 by his current connections on Aug. 21 at Del Mar, the 5-year-old Western Fame horse began his current streak with a 2 1/4 -length victory in an optional claimer on Sept. 17 at Fairplex Park.

Then he won twice during the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita. Jet West won another optional claimer by one length on Oct. 8, before prevailing by a nose at 5-1 in the $150,000 California Cup Sprint Handicap on Nov. 6.

In the El Conejo, a Grade III at 5 1/2 furlongs, Jet West will face a dozen opponents and a case can be made for most of the field. Other serious contenders include Red Warrior, Jungle Prince, Gray Black N White, Stone Rain, With Distinction and Excess Summer.

Tyler Baze, who won the El Conejo in 2005 with Areyoutalkintome, will ride Excess Summer, who has won three of seven at Santa Anita and will make his debut for trainer Bob Hess Jr. after being claimed for $50,000 on Feb. 27, 2004.

Race of the day: Summer Service, who has won five of seven starts on the turf, will make his Calder debut in the $40,000 Lola Belle at five furlongs this afternoon. Javier Castellano will ride the 6-year-old Siberian Summer gelding for owner Paul Pompa Jr. and trainer Patrick Reynolds against a field that includes Terrific Challenge, Euro Code, Courageous King and Tacirring. Racing resumes Wednesday in Florida with Gulfstream Park’s winter-spring meet.

One for the road: Private Aviator moves way up on a wet track, and he is almost certain to get such conditions today as he tries for his seventh lifetime win in today’s fourth at Bay Meadows. Dennis Carr will ride the late-running gray for owner G C C I and trainer Cliff Delima in the $20,000 claimer at six furlongs. There is plenty of pace for the 7-year-old gelding to chase.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Bourbon N Blues and Tarimbeiro in the second, To Sender, Stratham and Rock Lobster in the third and Midnite Moonshine in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/15. Money: (previous day/meet total): $14.80/$100. Total money bet: $102.