L.A. Fair meet begins today

If you think the six-day race weeks at the recently concluded Saratoga and Del Mar meets were much, hang on to your seat belts.

The ultimate merry-go-round starts today in Pomona, Calif., at the Fairplex Park race meet. Along with roller coasters, Ferris wheels and cotton candy, the world's largest and most successful county fair is the "E" ride for racing fans.

The Los Angeles County Fair racing season begins today and the ride won't stop until Sept. 27. The 18 consecutive days of racing will feature thoroughbreds in addition to the "mixed breeds" of Quarter Horses, Arabians and Appaloosas.

But don't mistake this "fair" meet to be anything but top-grade racing. Firmly ensconced on the Southern California racing circuit between the region's summer spa meet at Del Mar and before the fall championship meet of Oak Tree at Santa Anita, the L.A. County Fair racing traditionally ranks in the top 10 nationally by purse distribution and wagering handle.

Fairplex Park boasts a schedule that features at least one added-money stakes race per day during the 2 1/2-week stand. First post time daily is set at 12:30 p.m. and today's opening-day card will begin with an Appaloosa race followed by a balance of thoroughbred contests on the 12-race program.

Two stakes races are featured on the opening-day presentation with the $50,000-added Bustles & Bows Stakes, for 2-year-old fillies, at 6 1/2 furlongs, as the ninth race and the $50,000-added Foothill Stakes, for 3-year-olds, at the same distance, going as the 11th race.

The Foothill poses a handicapping challenge as a full-field, wide-open affair. The Bustles & Bows will also fill the starting gate with contenders led by Hollyhoney. The daughter of The Prime Minister possesses blazing early speed which is a distinct advantage on the 5/8th's-mile oval.

Another strong handicapping tool for the unique fair bullring is sticking with riders who can ride the "ring." Past Fairplex Park riding titleholders back this season are Corey Black, David Flores, Victor Espinoza and Fernando Valenzuela. Other top riders who can handle the tight-turned tan include Goncelino Almeida, Matt Garcia, Rene Douglas and Martin Pedroza. New faces on the scene to watch closely are Emile Ramsammy and Garrett Gomez.

DEL MAR WRAP-UP: Corey Nakatani won the Palomar Handicap with Tuzla for his sole victory on the closing-day card Wednesday, but it was good enough to keep his a-winner-a-day average to end the meet with 43 wins and the seaside jockey title. Trainer Bob Baffert got a two-bagger that included the featured Del Mar Futurity with Worldly Manner to end the 43-day stand with 18 victories and the Del Mar title.

Top handicap star Skip Away is scheduled for just three more starts before retirement to stud at the end of the year. Syndicated for a reported $18 million, Skippy will race in the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup before a final defense of the $4 million-dollar Breeder's Cup Classic on Nov. 7.

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