San Luis Rey Features Frankel’s Triple Threat

A few hours after he tries to win the Florida Derby for the first time with Empire Maker, trainer Bobby Frankel will seek his initial win in the $250,000 San Luis Rey Handicap at Santa Anita.

The last major prep for the $400,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap on April 20, the Grade II has so far escaped Frankel’s grasp, one of the few local major turf stakes he hasn’t won during his career.

Trying to end the drought, Frankel entered three in the 1 1/2-mile affair -- Requete, Blue Steller and Sumitas.

Owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, Requete will be making his first appearance in a graded stakes after two impressive victories against softer competition in his initial races in this country. A winner once in three starts in France, the 4-year-old Rainbow Quest rallied from last to win an optional claimer on Jan. 23, then used a powerful late run to win the San Marino Handicap on Feb. 20.

The 117-pound highweight in the race is Delta Form, who hasn’t run since finishing last in the Hong Kong Vase last Dec. 15 at Sha Tin.

The 7-year-old gelding is trained by Jenine Sahadi for owners Gary Barber and Team Valor.

Race of the day: Captain Red, who set an inner track record for six furlongs on Feb. 26 at Aqueduct, will face Peeping Tom, Affirmed Success and four others in the $100,000 Toboggan Handicap today. A 6-year-old Mr. Greeley horse owned by Anthony Pyliotis and trained by Dimitrios Synnefias, Captain Red beat Gold I.D. by half a length in 1:07 4/5 for his 13th lifetime victory last month.

Who’s hot: Gregg McCarron. The trainer and Chris McCarron’s brother won with seven of his first 20 starters at Laurel.

Who’s not: Joe Lucas and Tom Ebardt. The two trainers are winless in 43 at Oaklawn Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Suave Meteorite and Encino Ump in the eighth; Sune, Annie N Me, Hot Sea and Deputy Doo Dah in the ninth; and Barron H and La Bandera in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/163. Money: Previous day/meet total: $24.60/$926.40. Total money bet: $992.