California Cup Classic lacks star power

Since its inception in 1990, the $250,000 California Cup Classic has been won by some top-notch California breds such as Best Pal, Budroyale and Sky Jack.

No such stars will be in the starting gate Saturday at Santa Anita for this year’s Classic.

Nine are scheduled to run in the 1 1/8 -mile race, which is the richest of 10 stakes worth a total of $1.2 million and restricted to state breds.

With Lava Man and Brother Derek waiting for the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs, the local Classic field is headed by Top This And That and Texcess, who have combined to win all of one race in 2006.

Top This And That, owned by Dan and Jerry Higman and Jeff and Lance Hayes and trained by Dan Hendricks, is the 5-2 favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line. The 4-year-old Old Topper gelding has one victory in nine starts this year, the win coming in an optional claimer nearly three months ago at Del Mar.

Texcess, a 4-year-old In Excess gelding, hasn’t won since taking the $1-million Delta Jackpot nearly two years ago. His winless streak is at 16. Eight of those losses have come since he was purchased for $300,000 by current owners Scott and Wayne Anastasi and Carl Van Burger and turned over to trainer Mike Mitchell this year.

Victor Espinoza, who was aboard when Texcess won the Delta Jackpot by 1 1/2 lengths Dec. 4, 2004, in Louisiana, will be back aboard in the Classic.

McCann’s Mojave, who won the 2005 Classic, opted to run in the $175,000 California Cup Mile this year. The turf affair attracted a dozen entrants and McCann’s Mojave, who has only one win on the grass, will break from the rail under regular jockey Jose Valdivia Jr.

To many, the most anticipated race on the card is the $150,000 Distaff Handicap. The turf contest, about 6 1/2 furlongs, will feature course specialist Cambiocorsa.

Owned by Ran Jan Racing and Lee and Ty Leatherman and trained by Doug O’Neill, Cambiocorsa has won all eight of her races at the distance, including a victory in the Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap on Sept. 27.

“She’s a lot of fun to ride,” jockey Jon Court said. “Doug has done a great job with her.”

The other stakes on the program are the $50,000 Starter Sprint, the $50,000 Starter, the $150,000 Matron, the $150,000 Distance, the $150,000 Sprint, the $125,000 Juvenile Fillies and the $125,000 Juvenile.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com