Drysdale Is Going for East-West Double

Trainer Neil Drysdale has an opportunity to win graded races at Del Mar and Belmont Park today.

Winning in New York wouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Winning in California would be an upset.

Bella Bellucci will try again for her first Grade I victory in the $250,000 Gazelle Handicap at Belmont Park.

Hours later, Golden Arrow will be looking for his first stakes victory in the $300,000 Del Mar Derby, a Grade II at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Considered the best 3-year-old filly in the country even though she has finished only third in the two most important races in which she has competed--the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and Acorn--Bella Bellucci will have a new rider when she makes her first appearance since July 19.

Known for demolishing less-than-stellar fields, the French Deputy filly will be handled by John Velasquez, becoming the fourth rider she has had in what will be her eighth career race.

Scratched from last month’s Alabama at Saratoga because of wet weather, she will break from the inside in the 1 1/8-mile Gazelle and her main foe is Take Charge Lady, a multiple-stakes winner making her first start since she won the Dogwood at Churchill Downs on May 25.

A winner of two in a row at Hollywood Park and Del Mar, Golden Arrow will be facing the maiden Hecandigit, Johar, Mr. Mellon (who is shipping from New Jersey for trainer Elliott Walden), Inesperado (the likely favorite on the strength of two consecutive victories since coming to the U.S.), Mountain Rage, Rock Opera (winner of the tougher division of the Oceanside Stakes on July 24), True Phenomenon and Dell Place.

Race of the day: With Anticipation will seek his third Grade I victory in a row and defend his title in the $500,000 Man O’War Stakes at Belmont Park. The 1 3/8-mile turf race attracted seven others.

Who’s hot: Armando Lage. The trainer won with six of his first 17 starters at Bay Meadows.

Who’s not: Bay Meadows. The home of short fields has 58 horses entered in today’s nine-race card.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Inesperado, Dell Place and Golden Arrow in the eighth, singling Subpoena in the ninth and using Miss Hennessy, Tahitian Rain, Lolo Creek and Devilish Quest in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/78. Money: Previous day/meet total: $448. Total money: $682.