Trevite strong pick - if he goes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Ron Ellis might feel like he's starring in his own private version of the movie "Groundhog Day." Last Thursday, the trainer entered Trevite in an allowance race for Saturday at Santa Anita. But because of wet weather that had turned the track sloppy, Ellis scratched Trevite from the race.

On Sunday, Ellis again entered in an allowance race, this time the featured seventh race on Wednesday at Santa Anita. But if the rain that seemingly never ends around here continues to hover, Ellis may be faced with no choice but to scratch Trevite again.

"I wonder if the track will be okay by Wednesday," Ellis said Sunday afternoon. "I hope it's all right. I don't mind if it's drying out, but I don't want a sloppy, wet track."

Here's hoping. Trevite looms a strong favorite in the one-mile race, a first-level allowance that carries a purse of $52,000. He finished third last time out in a fast race for this level at Hollywood Park. The second-place finisher, Awesome Dividend, came back to win his next start, and Trevite finished eight lengths clear of the fourth horse in a field of 10.

Trevite has won once in three starts, but has run well every time. In his debut at Hollywood Park last summer, he ran fourth in a race won by his highly regarded stablemate, Long Range Missile. He then beat maidens at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.

"His first race was impressive, and he came back to run two good races," Ellis said. "I also think he might like Santa Anita more than Hollywood Park. His works at Hollywood are okay, but pretty much every one at Santa Anita was a bullet."

, who also was scratched from Saturday's race, could be one of the main contenders. He most recently finished third in a sprint from which the second-place finisher, Diamond Fury, came back to win on Saturday.

ended a prolonged losing streak last out, defeating a field of first-level allowance California-breds. Wednesday's race is in open company.

Tarascon Diligence is making his first start on this circuit after being purchased privately in Florida by trainer Jeff Mullins. Tarascon Diligence has won three of his last four starts, and though they were against claimers, his sharp current form makes him dangerous.

Pointe Birds was a distant fourth in a similar spot last out, but a fast opening half-mile compromised his chances and there appears to be less pace pressure in this race.