King Robyn tries for California triple

DEL MAR, Calif. - King Robyn can become the first horse to win a stakes at each Thoroughbred meeting in Southern California in 2003 when he starts in Wednesday's $75,000 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar.

King Robyn, 3, has won 4 of 7 starts this year and earned $207,350.

Owned by Cornejo Racing and trained by Jeff Mullins, King Robyn won the San Pedro Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita in March. In his next start, he won the Harry Henson Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park in late April.

In three subsequent races, King Robyn has had erratic form. He was fifth in the Grade 2 Laz Barrera Memorial Stakes on May 26, won an allowance sprint on turf at Hollywood Park on June 18, then was fourth in the Carry Back Stakes on dirt at Calder on July 12.

"I think he's better on anything firm," Mullins said. "He doesn't like Calder's main track. I threw it out before the three-eighths pole. I threw it out that morning when he trained on it."

The Green Flash is run over five furlongs on turf. King Robyn will be on or near a fast pace expected to be shared by Ecstatic, who was third in the Kerlan Handicap at Hollywood Park on July 12, and Menacing Dennis.

The speedy Menacing Dennis is the only member of the field to have won his last start. Trained by Doug O'Neill, Menacing Dennis led throughout an optional claimer over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park on June 27.

The closers are Swiss Lake, a filly who was second in the Daisycutter Handicap here on Aug. 1, and Echo Eddie, the millionaire California-bred. Mister Cosmi, an import who has raced in Dubai and Europe, will be a longshot.

Echo Eddie was ninth in the Smile Sprint last month at Calder and won an allowance sprint on turf at Hollywood Park in June.

Mullins also starts Thunder Bullet, who won three races - high-priced claimers or optional claimers - on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita last winter. He has not started since finishing fourth in the Grade 3 San Simeon Handicap at Santa Anita in April.

Thunder Bullet drew the rail and is likely to stalk the pace.

"The best is when he's tugging on the bit no matter where he's at," Mullins said. "He's not a horse you can send."