Whilly Can Make History

In the long history of the San Marcos Stakes, no horse has ever won the race twice.

Whilly, who beat Puppeteer and four others in the Grade II a year ago, has a chance to become the first to repeat in the San Marcos, a 1 1/4 -mile turf affair that was first run in 1952.

Owned by Triple B Farms and trained by Doug O’Neill, Whilly, a 5-year-old Sri Pekan horse, has only one win in six starts since his half-length win at 3-1 in the 2005 San Marcos. His other victory came in the American Invitational Handicap on July 3 at Hollywood Park, when he led throughout at 7-1 to win the Grade II by a half-length.

Away since he was disqualified from second and placed fifth in a controversial call in the Clement L. Hirsch on Oct. 2, Whilly is one of many contenders in a race that drew 14 entrants Friday morning. Felipe Martinez will ride the Irish bred, who has eight wins in 19 lifetime starts.

Others who have to be considered strong threats are License To Run, who was the beaten favorite in the race a year ago but rebounded with a decisive win in the San Luis Obispo Handicap less than a month later, Always First, Warrior Song, The Tin Man and Atlando.

Race of the day: Happy Ticket, who has won 10 of 13, will make her first start since finishing 11th of 13 in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park, in the $100,000 Lagniappe Ladies Sprint today at Louisiana Downs. Robby Albarado will ride the Louisiana-bred mare for owner Stewart Madison and trainer Andy Leggio in the 5 1/2 -furlong contest that is part of the closing day card at the track.

One for the road: Pool Land is perfect in two starts for trainer Todd Pletcher and can handle tougher company in the $60,000 Summer Colony today at Aqueduct.

Mike Luzzi will ride the 4-year-old Silver Deputy horse for owners Eugene and Laura Melnyk in the one-mile race that is the eighth on the card.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Grand Miss, Cambiocorsa, Champagne Dreams and Baltic Dip in the sixth, Del Mar Storm in the seventh, Whilly, The Tin Man and Atlando in the eighth and Awesome Jet, Lunch Bunch and Langfuhr’s Boy in the ninth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/52. Money: (previous day/meet total): $20.60/$337.40. Total money bet: $340.