These Two in Driver’s Seat

The last three winners of the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap were trained by either a Frankel or a Canani.

There is a chance the same will hold true after the Grade II is run for the 63rd time today.

Bobby Frankel, who has won the last two runnings, will send out Blue Steller and Dance Dreamer while Julio Canani will try to emulate son Nick’s win in 1999 when he starts French import Mister Kybelee.

Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Dance Dreamer, a 4-year-old Nureyev colt, has won three of four since arriving in the U.S. His most recent victory came in the Escondido Handicap.

Blue Steller, meanwhile, has won two in a row for Amerman Racing and has two wins and a third in three starts on the Del Mar turf course. Kent Desormeaux will ride Dance Dreamer while Patrick Valenzuela has the call on Blue Steller.

Owned by a partnership, Mister Kybelee has trained well for his first start in this country after winning two of 10 overseas. He is proven at marathon distances and will race with Lasix for the first time.

Hours before the Del Mar Handicap, 2001 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and Eclipse Award winner Squirtle Squirt will make his comeback in the $250,000 Forego Handicap, a Grade I, at Saratoga.

Idle since he finished second to Snow Ridge in the Palos Verdes Handicap on Jan. 27 at Santa Anita, Squirtle Squirt will be opposed in the seven-furlong race by Orientate, Silky Sweep, Saint Verre, Multiple Choice, Hook And Ladder, Aldebaran and Explicit.

Race of the day: Adalgisa, who was impressive in her U.S. debut for Canani, will try for her second win in today’s second at Del Mar, a $60,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Who’s hot: John Martin. The trainer won with four of his first five starters at Sacramento.

Who’s not: Martin Kenney. The trainer is one for 43 in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick three with Adalgisa in the second, using Gamblin Town and Prime Step in the third and Give Away Joe, Going Going Gone and George’s Stick in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/68. Money: Previous day/meet total: $400.80. Total money bet: $580.