San Juan Capistrano winner can earn a ticket to Australia

For the first time since 2004, the winner of the $250,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap, which will be run Sunday for the 68th time, won’t be T.H. Approval.

One of the five to repeat as winner in Santa Anita’s longest race, T.H. Approval has been retired, leaving the door open for seven others in the turf race that spans about 1 3/4 miles and is the main event on the final day of the winter-spring meet.

The winner of Sunday’s Grade II will earn an automatic berth to the Melbourne Cup on Nov. 6 at Flemington Race Course in Australia thanks to a new partnership between Santa Anita and the Victoria Racing Club.

First run in 1861, the Melbourne Cup is a Group 1 at about two miles and has a purse of $4.2 million. No U.S. horse has run in Australia’s most significant race, but that could change this year.

“We are proud to be associated with one of America’s key racing bodies,” said Sue Lloyd Williams, the deputy chief executive of the Victoria Racing Club. “We believe that this partnership will provide both organizations with the opportunity to strengthen their respective operations, develop stronger links and foster professional ideas and share valuable knowledge and expertise.”

Sweet Return, a multiple graded stakes winner, appears to be the class of the San Juan but is a question mark at the distance. One Off, Fitz Flag, Embossed, On The Acorn, Icy Ridge and Boulde d’Or make up the rest of the field.

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Live Life, third in the Beverly D. last Aug. 12 at Arlington Park, will make her first start of 2007 in the $200,000 Santa Barbara Handicap today at Santa Anita.

Owned by Shawn Dugan and trained by Neil Drysdale, the 5-year-old Linamix mare will break from the inside in the Grade II, which is scheduled for 1 1/4 miles on turf. Victor Espinoza will ride against Solva, Quick As Ray, Flip Flop, Sweet Belle, Mabadi, Grat and Naughty Rafaela.

Two races later, Siren Lure will try for his 13th win in 24 tries in the $100,000 San Simeon Handicap, a Grade III scheduled for about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf. Get Funky, Turnbolt and Battle Won are also contenders.

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The $325,000 Lexington Stakes today at Keeneland is the last prep for the Kentucky Derby, but it is unlikely any of the 10 3-year-olds running in the Grade II will race May 5 at Churchill Downs.

The last horse to win the Lexington and the Kentucky Derby was Charismatic, who also won the Preakness in 1999.

Belgravia, the winner of last year’s Hollywood Prevue at Hollywood Park, heads the field in the 1 1/16 -mile Lexington. Owned by Zayat Stables, Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier and Derrick Smith and trained by Patrick Biancone, the son of Mr. Greeley had his training compromised by a lung infection a couple of months ago.

While a Derby start hasn’t been completely ruled out, Belgravia probably will surface in the Preakness if he runs well today.

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A full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was born early Friday morning at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, Ky.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com