Three Degrees’ Dirty Debut

A Grade II winner on the turf, Three Degrees will try the main track for the first time against six other 4-year-old fillies in the $150,000 El Encino Stakes today at Santa Anita.

Trained by Paddy Gallagher for a partnership, the gray daughter of Singspiel, who won the Honeymoon Breeders’ Cup Handicap last June 5 at Hollywood Park, was to have made her dirt debut in the La Brea Stakes on Dec. 31. However, heavy rain canceled those plans and she was scratched from the Grade I, which was won in a romp by Pussycat Doll.

Successful in three of seven starts in this country after losing twice in England, Three Degrees had a bullet half-mile work (47 2/5) over the local main four mornings ago. Alex Solis, who has been her rider in two of her wins, has the mount this afternoon in the Grade II at 1 1/16 miles.

Proposed, who, at one time, was more highly regarded than stablemate -- and eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and Eclipse Award winner -- Sweet Catomine in 2004, will seek her first graded stakes win in the El Encino.

Patrick Valenzuela will ride the Benchmark filly, who has won four of eight, for owner-breeders Pam and Marty Wygod and trainer John Shirreffs.

Race of the day: Last Romance, who has won two in a row since being claimed, will move into stakes company today when she meets five other 3-year-old fillies in the $65,000 Busanda at Aqueduct. Eibar Coa will ride the daughter of Wild Rush, who has won her last two starts by a combined 7 1/2 lengths since being claimed by trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. for $65,000 for owners Sandy Goldfarb and Michael Dubb last Aug. 31.

Spartan Valor, Daytime Promise, Mississippi Madam, Jet Set Broad and Sea Pines also will run in the race at a mile and 70 yards.

One for the road: Gift Of Beauty goes first time off the claim for high percentage trainer Peter Walder and can win her second in a row in today’s fourth at Gulfstream Park. John Velazquez, the stable’s go-to rider, will be aboard the 3-year-old Souvenir Copy filly in the $30,000 claimer at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using the River Island entry in the first, Impressive Flight, Nine To Midnight and Alpenwald in the second and Beltline Jack, Zap and Twin Turbo in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/39. Money: (previous day/meet total): $31.20/$259. Total money bet: $254.