Fresh Start for This Colt

Bob and John, who remains a Triple Crown hopeful for trainer Bob Baffert and owner-breeders Bob and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable even though he has only one win in five starts, will drop in class in today’s sixth race at Santa Anita. The race is part of a pick six with a hefty carry-over of $847,509.

After finishing third in the Hollywood Futurity, a Grade I, on Dec. 17 behind Brother Derek and Your Tent Or Mine, Bob and John, a Seeking The Gold colt, will dip into the allowance ranks in today’s $52,000 contest at 1 1/16 miles.

This will be the second start at Santa Anita for the dark bay. He was second behind A.P. Warrior in an allowance race on Nov. 4. He will break from the outside post in the field of nine and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.

The remainder of the lineup, from the rail out, includes Swiss Sonata, Sacred Light, Winnin N Grinnin, Sensational Score, The Five J’s, Old Thunder, Twisting Road and Chadlington.

Race of the day: Catonight, who has won three of four starts for trainer Steve Asmussen, heads the field in the $50,00 Dixieland, the opening day feature at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. The 5 1/2 -furlong race is for 3-year-olds and other top contenders include Rocket Beauty and Fidrych. This is the first of 56 days at Oaklawn Park, which runs through April 15.

One for the road: Hurricane Cheryl returns in a realistic spot for trainer Wayne Catalano as she makes her 3-year-old debut in the seventh race at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Samurai Master, Lottery Pick, Sinister Minister and Diamond Sucker in the fifth, Bob and John in the sixth, Terroplane, Fast and Furious and Rhythm Mad in the seventh and Gold Bankers Gold and Valid Again in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/45. Money: (previous day/meet total): $11.80/$295.20. Total money bet: $306.