Navigating a Victory Is the Challenge to Chekhov

Chekhov, to put it mildly, has been an underachiever in a career that spans 10 races.

Purchased for $3.3 million as a 2-year-old at the Keeneland April sale, Chekhov has managed one victory and has earned only $155,066.

Trained by Patrick Biancone for owners Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, the 4-year-old son of Pulpit will make his second start as a gelding when he takes on five rivals in today’s second race at Santa Anita.

Fifth in his 2006 debut on Feb. 20, Chekhov will have a new rider in the $55,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles. Victor Espinoza replaces Tony Farina. So far, the only jockey to have won with Chekhov is the retired Gary Stevens. The Hall of Famer was aboard when Chekhov beat maidens by 8 1/4 lengths May 28 at Belmont Park.

The only member of the field today coming off a victory is Beneath The Radar. Owned by Mace and Samantha Siegel’s Jay Em Ess Stable and trained by Bruce Headley, the 4-year-old Untuttable gelding beat maidens by 5 3/4 lengths going 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 18. He has been first, second or third in all four of his starts at Santa Anita and will again be ridden by Alex Solis. The field is completed by Ice Cole, who finished sixth of 11 when overmatched in the Strub Stakes on Feb. 4; King Of L.A., who is adding blinkers for trainer Kristin Mulhall; Gallardo and Le Copain.

Race of the day: What’s Your Point will bid for her third victory in a row over Aqueduct’s inner track when she takes on eight other New York-bred fillies and mares in the eighth race. Ramon Dominguez will ride the 4-year-old daughter of Wheaton for owner Maggi Moss and Gary Contessa, who is the leading trainer at the meet, in the $45,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

One for the road: Shared Dreams makes her U.S. debut for trainer Christophe Clement and is meeting a weak field in today’s ninth at Gulfstream Park. Edgar Prado will ride the 4-year-old Seeking The Gold filly for owners Sarah and Robin Leigh in the $33,000 allowance at 1 1/2 miles on turf. A winner of one of seven in England, Shared Dreams will race on Lasix for the first time.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Quickfire in the first, Beneath The Radar, Le Copain and King Of L.A. in the second and Orcadia and Lollapalooza in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/167. Money: (previous day/meet total): $7/$1,009. Total money bet: $982.