Monday, December 29, 2008

DOUBLE TROUBLE SEEKS REBOUND IN FRIDAY’S PASEANA HANDICAP

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 29, 2008) – Winless in five starts following a 4 ½- length victory in February’s Grade I Santa Maria Handicap, Double Trouble seems well spotted for a return to the win column in Friday’s sixth running of the $70,000 Paseana Handicap at 1 1/16 miles over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride synthetic surface.

With Garrett Gomez in the saddle, Double Trouble will face five rival fillies and mares in the feature on a program that ushers in Santa Anita’s Free Fridays promotion. In addition to free general admission on Fridays, the track this season offers free box seating on a first come, first served basis as well as a one-dollar menu featuring beer, sodas, hot dogs and popcorn.


Breaking from the rail under high weight of 118 pounds, Double Trouble will be exiting the graded stakes ranks after her Santa Maria win began a run of competition in six straight Grade I or Grade II events. Owned by Patricia Bozano, the 5-year-old Brazilian-bred mare has earned $377,890 from a career record of 7-1-6 in 20 starts.

Her opposition includes trainer Greg Gilchrist’s hard-hitting Victorina, a Northern California-based 5-year-old mare who has been off-the-board only three times in 23 starts while earning $581,675 for the estate of Henry J. Aleo. Rafael Bejarano rides the Florida-bred who has posted a 12-6-2 record.

The complete field for the Paseana Handicap, with jockeys and weights in post position order: Double Trouble, Garrett Gomez, 118; You Lift Me Up, Mike Smith, 117; Victorina, Rafael Bejarano, 117; Island Hop, Martin Garcia, 113; Chocolate Lava, Joel Rosario, 115, and Forest Melody, Joseph Talamo, 115.

The Paseana is carded as the seventh race on an eight-race program that begins at 1 p.m.

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