Baffert Streak on Line

If recent history holds up, trainer Bob Baffert will win today’s $125,000 Graduation Stakes, an ungraded sprint restricted to 2-year-olds bred in California.

Icecoldbeeratreds, a son of In Excess owned and bred by Mike Pegram, will try to follow the footsteps of Arabian Light and Officer, who won for Baffert in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Officer, by the way, also went on to become the trainer’s sixth consecutive winner in the Del Mar Futurity.

Out of the Crafty Prospector mare Guilded Times, Icecoldbeeratreds, named for an establishment across the street from Del Mar, hasn’t run since winning his debut on April 27 at Hollywood Park.

The 11-10 favorite that day, he cruised to a three-length victory in 52 1/5 seconds for the 4 1/2 furlongs. Expression, who finished four lengths behind him, was a next-out winner, beating, among others, eventual Hollywood Juvenile winner Crowned Dancer. Expression is also in the Graduation field and will be running for the first time since his victory on May 8.

On the strength of his 11-length maiden victory on June 30 in Inglewood, Jury Box is the favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line. Recently purchased by Clint and Susan Atkins, the In Excess colt remains in the care of trainer Wayne Lukas. After losing his first three starts at 7-10, 7-5 and 2-1, Jury Box added Lasix in his last and rolled home in 1:03 2/5 for the 5 1/2 furlongs, which is also the distance of the Graduation. Lukas will be seeking his first victory in the race since Rally Run scored in 1990.

Race of the day: Tizbud, Tiznow’s brother, will make his first start around two turns in today’s third, the first leg of the pick six. The 3-year-old was third in his six-furlong debut and Brownstone, the runner-up in that contest, easily won Monday’s first.

Who’s hot: Jerry Bailey. So, what else is new? He won 15 races during the first six days of Saratoga, including stakes victories over the weekend with Tates Creek, You and Dancethruthedawn.

Who’s not: Dr. Litin. A $2.5-million purchase in 2000, the son of Broad Brush out of the 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors has been a bust in two career starts. He has finished fourth and sixth and will try again in today’s third at Del Mar.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta keying Noble Masterpiece in the fifth with Pickled Bay, Sterling Wisdom and Groom On The Run in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/10. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3.40/$70.60. Total money bet: $104.