Mullins Can Add to Lead

Jeff Mullins, trying to end Bob Baffert’s seven-year run of training titles at Santa Anita’s winter-spring meets, can add to his lead on today’s card in Arcadia.

Mullins has 18 victories, four more than Doug O’Neill and six more than Baffert after 31 days of the 84-day season, and could sweep the early double with Abderian in the first and Oro Desert in the second. He also will saddle first-time starter Idealize in the eighth.

Owned by Richard Englander, Abderian, a 7-year-old, was third by a length in his Santa Anita debut Dec. 27. He comes back at the same level -- $80,000 claiming -- and could be ready to earn his first victory since Nov. 28, 2002, in the about 6 1/2-furlong race on the turf. Victor Espinoza will ride the Irish-bred.

In the second, a $50,000 claimer for 4-year-olds at one mile, Espinoza will also ride Oro Desert, the probable favorite against only four opponents.

A California-bred son of Desert Classic owned by Robert Bone, Oro Desert has been the beaten choice in his last three races.

Idealize is being asked to win around two turns from the outside post in his first start against eight maidens racing for a $62,500 claiming price.

Race of the day: Delta Princess, who has won both of her starts on the Gulfstream Park turf course, will try to remain perfect on the course in today’s ninth, a $46,000 allowance at about one mile.

One for the road: Becky In Pink should improve with a route under her belt and can win for the second time in five starts in today’s eighth at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old Formal Gold filly finished a length behind repeater Island Sand on Dec. 27 and isn’t racing against a stellar field in the $44,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Lucky Leo in the sixth, Hope Rises in the seventh and all in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/95. Money: Previous day/meet total: $4.40/$529. Total money bet: $530.