Public Image looks like a big favorite

Public Image, an easy winner against maidens in his first start of 2008, will be a short price to win again in the seventh race Thursday at Santa Anita. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $89,173.

Owned by breeders Pam and Marty Wygod and trained by Cliff Sise Jr., the 3-year-old Benchmark colt toyed with his nine rivals Jan. 26. Over a ridiculously fast track, Public Image ran six furlongs in 1:07 2/5 and won much more comfortably than the two-length margin of victory would indicate.

A troubled runner-up in his only start as a 2-year-old last July 15 at Hollywood Park, Public Image will have only four opponents in the $52,000 allowance at six furlongs. A probable late pick four and pick six single on a number of tickets, the chestnut will be ridden by David Flores.

Two of the horses that will face Public Image are coming off wins. Lucky Honey, a gray son of former Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Lit De Justice, won a starter allowance race Jan. 11 in his first collaboration with jockey Garrett Gomez.

Bamaha Breeze, meanwhile, has won two in a row in Northern California. The son of Lord Carson defeated $20,000 maiden claimers in his debut Jan. 12 at Golden Gate Fields, then won nearly four weeks later in a starter allowance contest at Bay Meadows.

Martin Garcia will ride Bamaha Breeze, who is making his second start for part-owner and trainer Steve Miyadi, who claimed the colt out of his maiden win.

Race of the day: Teide, first or second in three of four in New York, will make his first start in Florida in the eighth race at Gulfstream Park. Elvis Trujillo will ride the 4-year-old Mt. Livermore colt for owner Darley Stable and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin in the $42,500 allowance at one mile.

One for the road: Hawkwood should relish the stretch to two turns and catches a soft field in the ninth race at Aqueduct. Alan Garcia will ride the 3-year-old Louis Quatorze gelding for owner Sandy Robbins and trainer Tony Dutrow in the $45,000 maiden affair for New York-breds at one mile and 70 yards.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Seven Secrets and He’s The Rage in the fifth, Go Cory Go, Minezeno, Recoil and Hasty Court in the sixth, Public Image in the seventh and Ata Honour, E Bradley and Gulfstar De Prisa in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 0/75. Money(previous day/meet total): $0/$501.20. Total money bet: $596.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com