Goodbye to Surf, Turf

Closing day at Del Mar offers four turf races and local fans are advised to enjoy them because there won’t be any more until Oak Tree begins on Oct. 2.

One of the grass races this afternoon is a minor stakes, the $75,000 Live The Dream Handicap at one mile.

The horse to beat is Zanapour, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Julio Canani for owner Michael House. Winless in his first five starts in this country after arriving from France, he has won two in a row on the Del Mar turf.

Race of the day: Palmarola, impressive in her California debut for trainer Richard Mandella on June 9 at Hollywood Park, runs in the third, the 11th running of the $70,000 California Equine Retirement Foundation Handicap at six furlongs.

Who’s hot: Mario Pino. The jockey became the 18th rider to reach 5,000 victories when he won Sunday’s ninth at Delaware Park.

Who’s not: Bella Bellucci. Anybody else tired of all the excuses made for this filly when she loses? Still perceived by some as the best 3-year-old filly in the country, she failed again in Grade I company, running third in Saturday’s Gazelle at Belmont Park.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the 10th using Petit Marquis, Beautiful Balance and Ice Prince in the first two spots and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/89. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17/$527.40. Total money bet: $720.