Amorama Has Chance to Repeat in the Mabee

Only four fillies and mares have won the $400,000 John C. Mabee Handicap -- known as the Ramona Handicap until 2001 -- in successive years.

Desert Trial won the race in 1966 and ’67 when it was run on dirt, then Street Dancer repeated the feat (1971-72), as did Queen To Conquer (1980-81).

Flawlessly, who, like Queen To Conquer, was trained by Charlie Whittingham, did even better. She won three times in a row (1992 to ‘94).

Amorama has a chance to become the fifth female to win the Mabee-Ramona two years running when she takes on Memorette, Live Life and four others in the Grade I today at Del Mar.

A French-bred daughter of Sri Pekan, Amorama won the race by a head a year ago at nearly 8-1 when trained by Julio Canani. Now owned by Frank Stronach, Amorama is now in the Bobby Frankel barn as she makes her first start in California since finishing fourth in the Yellow Ribbon on Oct. 1 at Santa Anita.

Garrett Gomez, who rode the dark bay mare for the first time when she was fourth in the Jenny Wiley on April 15 at Keeneland, has the call in the 1 1/8 -mile race.

Memorette, who was winless in eight races in 2005, will be seeking her third win of this year for owner Betty Currin and her husband, trainer Bill Currin.

Race of the day: One Off, who is winless in eight starts since coming to the U.S. over a year ago, will make his Calder debut today for owner Burt Bacharach in the $250,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Marathon Handicap. Brice Blanc will ride the 6-year-old Barathea gelding in the race at two miles. The Marathon is part of Calder’s extreme day, which includes a daily double in which the two races will be run simultaneously -- one on turf and the other on dirt -- and a race restricted to horses gray or roan in color.

One for the road: Pine Island gets Lasix for the first time and should relish the stretch to 1 1/4 miles in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks today at Belmont Park. Javier Castellano will ride the 3-year-old Arch filly for trainer Shug McGaughey in the Grade I.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Holy Begonia and Boy Toy in the first, Go Coyote Joe and Ghost Actor in the second and So Bewarned and Island Launch in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/5. Money: (previous day/meet total): $6/$24. Total money bet: $50.