El Don Goes for Two in a Row

Two days after Alphabet Kisses’ upset victory in the La Brea Stakes, owner-breeder John Harris and trainer Marty Jones could have another winner when racing resumes today at Santa Anita.

El Don, a 3-year-old Cee’s Tizzy gelding owned and bred by Harris and Don Valpredo, will look for his second consecutive win and fourth in eight starts in today’s seventh, a $56,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

Running more than seven furlongs for the first time on Nov. 27 at Hollywood Park, El Don responded with a three-quarters-length win at today’s distance. Gary Stevens, who began the winter-spring meet with a Grade I win aboard Rock Hard Ten in Sunday’s Malibu Stakes, will again ride El Don against Siren Lure, Skukuza, Saint Buddy, American Liberty, Oceanus, Stratostar and Capitano.

A 4-year-old gray son of Saint Ballado, Saint Buddy is one of the biggest money burners of 2004. He has lost eight of nine this year, including defeats at 5-2, 2-1, 2-1, 5-2, 6-5, 4-5 and 5-2.

Race of the day: Trainer Bruce Levine, who has won four of the last six renewals of the $75,000 Gallant Fox Handicap at Aqueduct, will try for another with Hydrogen as racing resumes at the New York track for the first time since Dec. 19. Mike Luzzi will ride Hydrogen, who has won four of 23 for owner Earle Mack, against eight others in the 1 5/8 -mile race that is part of a pick six carry-over of $37,112.

One for the road: Siddartha races New York-breds for the first time and has trained well for trainer John Parisella for his first start since Nov. 13. The 2-year-old A.P. Jet colt deserves the nod in today’s fourth at Aqueduct. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride in the $41,000 maiden affair at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Hot Market and More Modern in the fifth, Girl Warrior in the sixth, El Don, American Liberty and Skukuza in the seventh, and Sweeping Vision, Who’s Kidding Who and Tale Of The Hills in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/6. Money: Previous day/meet total: $20.40/$34.80. Total money bet: $36.