Twice as Nice for Baffert?

Trainer Bob Baffert can make history today if El Corredor wins the $150,000 Pat O’Brien Handicap. In the 15-year history of the seven-furlong O’Brien, no trainer has won the race twice, but Baffert can change that today. He won the race last year with Love That Red. The leading trainer at Del Mar the last four years is on his way to another title in 2001. Baffert certainly will be well represented in the Grade II. El Corredor, the likely favorite, has won two of three at Del Mar. Making his first start since winning the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Nov. 25, El Corredor has won two of three races at Del Mar, winning an allowance race last summer before capturing the Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap four weeks later. He has trained well for his latest comeback and is proven off the bench. His first victory at Del Mar came after he had been sidelined for nearly seven months. The horse to beat is Swept Overboard, who was beaten 1 1/4 lengths when third in the Bing Crosby Breeders’ Cup Handicap three weeks ago. The two in front of him that day were Kona Gold and Caller One and they’re the two best sprinters in the country.

Race of the day: An intriguing race at Saratoga is the featured $200,000 Ballston Spa Breeders’ Cup Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The Grade III marks the return of Penny’s Gold, a 4-year-old Kingmambo filly who is unbeaten in three starts in this country for trainer Christophe Clement. A winner twice at Gulfstream Park and once at Keeneland, Penny’s Gold hasn’t run since April 12, but has trained well for Clement and will be ridden for the first time by Jerry Bailey. The other prime contenders are Gaviola, who has won four of six at the Ballston distance and Babae, who won over the Saratoga turf a year ago.

Who’s hot: Mike Smith. The jockey, who is starting to establish himself as a presence in Southern California, won twice on Friday, which also happened to be his 36th birthday.

Who’s not: The trainers in today’s ninth race at Del Mar. Take away John Dolan and Mike Machowsky, who have combined for some 40 victories, and the other 10 trainers have combined for a total of 10 wins this year.

Exotically speaking: We’ll play an exacta box in the fifth using Pool Music, Regal Russ and Hurricane Carter.