La Jolla Field Full of Class

No 3-year-old at Del Mar is going to accomplish what Ladies Din did in 1998. The gelding swept the seaside track’s three-race grass series, winning a division of the Oceanside Stakes, the La Jolla Handicap, then completing his meet with a victory in the Del Mar Derby. It’s not going to happen in 2001 because neither Sigfreto or Dr Park, the winners of divisions of the opening-day Oceanside, are entered in today’s $150,000 La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The morning-line favorite at 7-2 in a wide-open race is Romanceishope, who has developed into a better runner than anticipated. The son of In Excess has not been worse than third in seven starts for trainer Jenine Sahadi and has won four of his last five. He won his first start on the turf, beating Macabe in the restricted Manila on June 23 at Hollywood Park. The field in the Grade III is completed by Sea To See, second in the first division of the Oceanside; Mister Approval, a troubled third as the 8-5 favorite in the first split of the Oceanside; Cap Admiral, an import from France making his first start in this country for trainer Bobby Frankel; Dim Sums, who hasn’t run since Feb. 9; Sir Alfred, who won the Ascot Handicap at Bay Meadows on June 3; Hoovergetthekeys, who was overmatched in the Swaps and has lost four in a row, and Marine, who was pulled up when bothered in the Ascot.

Race of the day: It’s an interesting Saturday program--although was that 10th race, another maiden claimer, really necessary?--and the fifth attracted what looks like a solid group of 2-year-old maidens. Ibn Al Haitham, a son of Zafonic, was second behind debut winner Ecstatic on opening day and should relish the move to seven furlongs. A nose behind him in that race was Historic Speech, a son of Pulpit who will be adding blinkers. American System, who was a troubled third in his debut behind Saturday Hero on July 21, and Tracemark, who is back in with maidens after two tries in stakes, are other contenders. A couple of interesting first-timers are Sweet Stepper, a son of Candy Stripes who worked in 1:12 3/5 from the gate and 59 flat for trainer Mike Mitchell, and High Thunder, a $250,000 yearling purchase a year ago by trainer Bob Baffert for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis.

Who’s hot: A certain player on the East Coast. There was one winning ticket in the Pick Six on Wednesday. Purchased in New Jersey, it was worth $579,030. Given the results that afternoon, he or she deserved every penny.

Who’s not: Jagger. A 5-year-old son of Gold Legend, he has lost 16 in a row since winning the first start of his career. A 30-1 longshot in today’s first race, look for the losing streak to continue.

Exotically speaking: We’ll play an exacta box in the sixth using Big League, Fin Entertainment and Coil N Strike.