McAnally Entry Is Favored

Given the recent history of the $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap, it seems safe to say that Tout Charmant, Old Money or Dancingonice will win the 33rd running of the Grade II race.

Tout Charmant and Old Money are trained by Ron Mc- Anally and Dancingonice is trained by Bobby Frankel. The two hall of famers have dominated the San Gorgonio since 1995.

McAnally has won the race twice--Queens Court Queen (1995) and Golden Arches (1997)--while Frankel has won four--Wandesta (1996), Sixieme Sens (1997), See You Soon (1999) and Uncharted Haven (2001). The only trainer not named McAnally or Frankel to have won the San Gorgonio in the last seven years was the late Ed Gregson, who scored with Lady At Peace in 2000.

The McAnally-trained entry of Tout Charmant and Old Money is the 2-1 favorite to win the 11/8-mile turf race against seven other rivals, including Frankel’s 3-1 third choice, the front-running Dancingonice.

One of the top female turf performers as a 4-year-old, Tout Charmant was winless in three starts last year, but has trained well for her 2002 debut and has been productive at nine furlongs. In eight career starts at the distance, she has been in the money six times.

An Australian-bred mare, Old Money will be making her debut in this country and first start since Dec. 26, 2000. A first-time Lasix user, she won five of 11 in her native land, including two Group II victories and another in the Group I Western Australia Derby.

Janet, the 5-2 second choice, had the best 2001 of any San Gorgonio entrant. She won four times, and two of the victories were in Grade Is.

Race of the day: The fourth is a wide-open turf sprint. The fact that the morning-line favorite is 4-1 suggests how good a betting race this is.

Who’s hot: Lytle Creek. The 5-year-old Gilded Time horse has won four in a row and will go for another in today’s eighth at Golden Gate Fields.

Who’s not: Sid’s Song. The 4-year-old Sultry Song colt is working on a 10-race losing streak and looks to be in for more grief in today’s fifth at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Three Amigos, Seven Jillion, Flick, Disguys Dalimit and Always Game in the fourth, singling Tizmania in the fifth and using Prairie Predator, California Power and Musaa Ed in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/39. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17.80/$257.20. Total money bet: $240.