Could Be Holiday Season

Harlan’s Holiday, who had his biggest win as a 3-year-old in the 2002 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, heads a field of 11 in the $500,000 Donn Handicap at 1 1/8 miles.

Owned by Starlight Stable and now trained by Todd Pletcher after winning half of his 12 starts for original trainer Ken McPeek, Harlan’s Holiday won his first start of the year Feb. 2. The 7-10 favorite, he was kept wide by jockey John Velasquez and went on to a workmanlike win in 1:42 1/5 for the 1 1/16 miles.

If Harlan’s Holiday, an Ohio-bred son of Harlan, is going to win the Donn, he is going to have to overcome the outside post.

Those capable of upsetting the favorite include Keats, Windsor Castle and Hero’s Tribute.

Meanwhile, at Laurel, they will try for a third time to run the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap, a Grade II twice postponed by heavy snow. The seven-furlong race features Xtra Heat, Carson Hollow and Zonk.

Race of the day: Spring Meadow, second to Got Koko in the La Brea Stakes on Dec. 28, heads the field in the $125,000 Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $105,625.

Who’s hot: Laffit Pincay and Patrick Valenzuela. Pincay won four times Thursday and Valenzuela had four victories Friday.

Who’s not: Rodney Trader. The jockey has lost 50 of 52 mounts at Oaklawn Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Ron Cherry and Surprizetome in the sixth, singling Gassan Royal in the seventh, Mon Ange, Spring Meadow and September Secret in the eighth and Triptronic, Purrcat and Mr. Hockey in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/112. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11/$660.20. Total money bet: $734.