By ED GOLDEN

Baffert, Hollendorfer, Lukas, Mott, Mandella, McGaughey and . . . Abrams.

What�s wrong with this picture?

Sure, it�s only January, but Barry Abrams, who trains to run and runs to train, ranks ninth nationally among trainers in money won, right in there with heavyweights Bob Baffert, Jerry Hollendorfer, Wayne Lukas, Bill Mott, Dick Mandella and Shug McGaughey.

Not bad for a trainer whose rapid-fire frequency for running horses has drawn more criticism than the American legal system. But this answer to a racing secretary�s prayers from Minsk, Russia, has muffled his detractors by winning races and, albeit reluctantly, a touch of respect.

"It feels good just being there with those guys," said Abrams, a bear of a man whose booming voice would serve him well as a sideshow barker and whose cheeks of permanent red would make Rudolph envious.

"They all have much better horses than I have. I just have a stable full of claiming horses. I just do the best I can with what I have and make a profit for my owners."

Abrams� claim to fame was Famous Digger, a $40,000 purchase who went on to win the Grade I Del Mar Oaks and four other stakes last year. She recently was sold for more than $1 million.

"I don�t run my horses just to fill races," said Abrams, who turns 44 on March 4. "I run them where I think they can be in the top four and pick up purse money. The main objective is to make money for the owners, but some are in the business to gamble, just to make a bet on their horses. They don�t care where a trainer puts their horse, or if they claim a horse for $50,000 and run for $10,000. If that�s what it takes to win, they�re satisfied. But my owners mostly are business people. They�re in it to have fun and make money, and eventually, the horses do win. It�s up to me to find a spot where they can."

And win Barry does. He ranked 10th on the Southern California circuit last year with 44 victories. Aside from claiming another Famous Digger and winning the Kentucky Derby, Abrams� goals are modest.

"Since I went on my own in 1993, each year has gotten better and better. I want to continue that and get better horses, and I look for 1998 to be my best year ever. I have a lot of good 2-year-olds from the Kentucky sales who should be ready around Del Mar. And I bought three horses in Argentina. One of them was beaten a neck by (Malibu Stakes winner) Lord Grillo."

Santa Anita racing secretary Tom Knust appreciates having an active stable such as Abrams� to help fill his races, but gives credit where credit is due.

"He takes care of business and he�s very astute as to what�s going on," Knust says of Abrams. "His philosophy is to run horses when they�re doing good. He�s a racing secretary�s dream in that he runs his horses when they�re right, but when they�re not, he backs off. He may not run them in the exact spot another trainer would, but when his horses are doing well, Barry finds a race and runs them, and it�s been successful for him."

When it comes to entering horses, Abrams is the Hollendorfer of the Southern California circuit. "I have 26 horses right now, and that�s plenty. I don�t want to get too big. I could have 50 horses if I wanted, but if I expanded, it wouldn�t be fair to the owners who have been with me since Day One, because their horses would get less care. I�ll just go one step at a time and as long as they stick with me, I don�t really need any more horses."

Abrams has been aware from the start of the slings and arrows his critics have hurled at him.

"In the beginning, they would see me running horses every week, or three times a month, and they couldn�t wait to see the horses get hurt. They figured eventually, I was going to break down every horse. It just didn�t happen. Instead, the horses would get better and better. Bengal Bay is one example. Slew�s Royal Son ran three times in 11 days and won all three times. I claimed The Tender Track for $100,000 and he earned almost $300,000, and they all laughed when I claimed an 8-year-old gelding.

"But it�s like I said, this is a business to make money. All the critics who think they know everything should come to Santa Anita on a Friday or Saturday, pick up the Racing Form from Australia and see how often those horses run there, every three days, and for much bigger purses than they do anywhere in this country."

GOLDEN PICKS

A MAGICIAN -- French-bred ran huge in U.S. bow but was too rank. Will benefit from first start in seven months for McAnally, who has a barnful of quality imports.

KAZABAIYN -- Turf specialist couldn�t get through on hedge, managed third when extricated. Tab around $62,500 level.

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Best effort yet came on turf in productive heat. Should earn diploma on grass.

MORNING PATROL -- Got rolling too late when off the fence, shouldn�t tarry long among $32,000 maidens.

SPIRITUAL MAGIC -- Filly set pace in route and ran gamely before fading late in first turf try. Should benefit from the experience.

YOU WIN AGAIN -- Outkicked late by odds-on favorite in only second start, first on grass and first with Lasix. Should graduate pronto.

THE HOMESTRETCH: California�s Triple Crown buzz horse, Indian Charlie, had his third straight bullet workout on Jan. 15, going six furlongs from the gate in 1:10 1/5, handily, best time of 28 at the distance. "I have never had a horse work that fast out of the gate," said Baffert. "It was awesome." A Triple Crown prospect of lesser renown, Neil Drysdale�s unbeaten Sea of Secrets, will make his next start in the Feb. 7 San Vicente Stakes against Souvenir Copy and Liquid Gold. Baffert on Lord Grillo trainer Mike Puype�s comment that his horse is better than Silver Charm, after the Kentucky Derby winner beat the Argentine import by four lengths in the San Fernando Stakes: "If you train, you have to stay upbeat about your horse," Baffert said tactfully. "Everyone�s entitled to his own opinion, but he�s got a good horse. Silver Charm does enough to get it done and he�s in the right direction now (for the 1 1/8-mile Strub Stakes on Feb. 7). Champions don�t need pace to win, remember that." . . . Knust says forget Skip Away for the Santa Anita Handicap. "It doesn�t look like he�ll make the (Feb. 7) Donn, but Sonny (Hine) has promised Gulfstream that Skip Away will run one time there, so it looks like the Gulfstream Handicap (Feb. 28) will be his first start back." The only "outsider" Knust expects for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby is an undefeated colt from Northern California, Dixie Dot Com. "Our main concern is not so much getting horses from the east," Knust said, "but keeping our 3-year-olds from shipping out of town. We won�t get anybody from back east because there�s too many opportunities for them."