Santa Ana Bucks Trend

The Dubai World Cup carries a purse that, at $6 million, is 40 times larger, but the $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap is the best race that will be run anywhere today.

A Grade II that is a prep for the $250,000 Santa Barbara Handicap on April 20, the Santa Ana attracted five Grade I winners and will be the ninth of 10 races today at Santa Anita.

Headed by Astra, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, the five top contenders in the race have combined to win 36 of 97 starts and earn $4,629,152.

Now trained by Laura De Seroux after winning eight of 11 for trainer Simon Bray, Astra, a 6-year-old Theatrical mare, will be making her first start since she floundered at 7-10 in the Beverly D. at Arlington Park on Aug. 18. Astra, who will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux, is four for four at 11/8 miles, the Santa Ana distance.

The richest of the Santa Ana participants is Tout Charmant, who has earned $1,712,879 in winning eight of 26.

She is one for one at the meet, having won the San Gorgonio Handicap on Jan. 13 for owners Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable and trainer Ron McAnally.

Rounding out the big five are Starine, who won the Grade II Diana Handicap at Saratoga last summer before completing her year with a win in the Matriarch at Hollywood Park on Nov. 25; Janet, who won the Yellow Ribbon and Ramona last year; and Golden Apples, who won the Del Mar Oaks in her U.S. debut Aug. 18.

Race of the day: The 10th race features Partners Choice, who was purchased for $2.5 million in the summer of 1999 and will make his first start for owners B. Wayne Hughes and the Thoroughbred Corp. and trainer Ron Ellis.

Who’s hot: Fog City Willy, the 6-year-old gelding who will try for his third consecutive win in today’s fifth at Golden Gate Fields.

Who’s not: Jockey Osman Cedeno, who will ride longshot Princess Slew Cat in today’s first at Santa Anita, is 0 for 28 in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Modernist, Sonoita and California Power in the eighth, using Tout Charmant and Golden Apples in the ninth and Heavenly Search, Partners Choice and Gotham City in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/176. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.80/$1,039.20. Total money bet: $1,078.