New World Awaits Winner

Given the past performances of the 13 original entrants in the $25,000 claimer for maidens in today’s fifth race at Santa Anita, it does seem hard to imagine one of them actually heading to the winner’s circle after the 1 1/16- mile race.

The baker’s dozen that was entered Friday is a combined 0 for 76, topped by Presenter, who has lost his first 16 starts. A 3-year-old Fruition gelding owned by Jose Marinay Jr. and trained by Joe Luis Marinay, Presenter actually looks like one of the ones in the race.

He has been relatively competitive in recent outings at Del Mar and Fairplex Park, and he gets a jockey change to Julie Krone. Since her return, Krone has moved up many horses she has gotten on for the first time, so maybe it will happen with this California bred.

Of the rest, there are four who have managed to finish second at least once -- Church Law, Continental Boogie, Wide Out and Bartending Mike. -- the latter seeming to be the most logical contender of the group.

Trained by Dave Hofmans for a partnership, the 3-year-old Dove Hunt gelding exits a swift sprint for the level and this will be his first two-turn race on a fast track.

Race of the day: First Insight, who won his only previous start on the Santa Anita turf course, will probably try to take his six opponents wire-to-wire in today’s eighth. The 4-year-old Avenue of Flags gelding will break from the rail under jockey Corey Nakatani in the $49,000 optional claimer for Cal breds at 1 1/4 miles.

One for the road: Date More Minors makes his turf debut for trainer Mark Hennig in today’s 10th at Belmont Park and the 5-year-old has the right pedigree for the surface. He’s by Mt. Livermore out of a Kris S. mare and is drawn nicely on the rail with John Velazquez as jockey.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Love That Lion and Goodnews Bay in the sixth, the Silent Sighs-Garden Whimsy entry and Xpress Excess in the seventh and First Insight and Tombstone in the eighth and Zeanne, Heiresstothethrone and Sensational Memory in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/30. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.80/$150.80. Total money bet: $194.