Skimming, Tiznow Meet Today

Although he is considered a Del Mar specialist, Skimming has never lost at Santa Anita.

Of course, the 5-year-old Nureyev horse has run only once in Arcadia, winning an optional claimer in his U.S. debut on April 21, 2000. He will try to stay perfect at the track when he takes on defending champion and reigning horse of the year Tiznow in the $500,000 Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap this afternoon.

Trained by Bobby Frankel for Juddmonte Farms, Skimming is the 7-5 second choice in the nine-furlong Goodwood. Drawn on the rail, he will try to lead every step of the way, as he did in winning the San Diego Handicap and Pacific Classic this summer at Del Mar.

Third in his comeback race behind Lido Palace and Albert The Great in last month’s Woodward, Tiznow is the 6-5 choice as he aims for his fourth win in six starts at Santa Anita. This will be his final prep before he tries to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic again on Oct. 27 at Belmont Park.

A race before the Goodwood, Frankel will be represented in the $250,000 Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile by Thady Quill, the lukewarm 3-1 favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line.

Like Skimming, Thady Quill is a son of Nureyev. He is also unbeaten at Santa Anita, having won both of his starts on the local turf course. And he is three for four running a mile on the turf.

Other contenders in the Mile, which was won a year ago by eventual Breeders’ Cup Mile winner War Chant, are I’ve Decided, Redattore, Lazy Lode and Val Royal.

Race of the day: The fourth lured a full field of 12 fillies and mares going one mile on the turf. The favorite is 7-2 and it’s very difficult to throw out many of the females, who are running for a $50,000 claiming price.

Who’s hot: Disco Rico. A 4-year-old son of Citidancer, he has won three of four and will start as a contender in today’s $250,000 Forest Hills Handicap at Belmont Park. In his career, the Maryland-bred has been first or second in 13 of 15 starts.

Who’s not: Matlock. He finished far back in his U.S. debut at 83-1 and is in for more grief in today’s opener at Santa Anita. His only win came more than 14 months ago in England.

Exotically speaking: Exacta boxes keying Ivory Queen in the fourth with Dazzling Diamonds, Onaccountofyou, Up At The Top and Leading Light.