Brooker Looks for Another Win

No horse running at Hollywood Park today is sharper than Brooker.

A 3-year-old Mr. Procrastinator gelding bred in California by Curt and Lila Lanning, Brooker has won four in a row for two different trainers.

Beaten in his first three starts, the bay won three times after being claimed for $8,000 by trainer Jedd Josephson, then scored against $20,000 claimers last month at Santa Anita after being taken for $16,000 by Jeff Mullins for owner Bob Bone.

Claimed again for $20,000 on Oct. 22 by a partnership and trainer Doug O’Neill, Brooker will step into an allowance race today in Inglewood as he tries for a fifth consecutive victory.

Felipe Martinez will ride Brooker for the first time against six rivals in the $42,000 allowance for Cal breds at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Two other members of the field are coming off wins. Prison Caper won two in a row earlier this year but has been idle since March 10. Family Guy was last seen winning an optional claimer by 10 lengths on Oct. 4 at Turf Paradise. Corey Nakatani will be aboard Prison Caper for trainer Steve Knapp, and Tyler Baze has the call on Family Guy for trainer Eric Kruljac.

Race of the day: Esplanade will try for her third win in as many starts at Churchill Downs when she faces seven opponents in today’s ninth, a $54,900 allowance at 1 1/16 miles. Mark Guidry will again ride the 3-year-old King Of Kings filly for Double Diamond Farm and trainer Dale Romans. Esplanade won at nearly 16-1 in her return to Churchill Downs eight days ago. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over in excess of $247,000.

One for the road: Precise Lady moves off the rail and should improve second time out against a weak field in today’s fourth at Aqueduct. The 2-year-old Precise End filly also gets a jockey change to Edgar Prado in the $42,000 maiden affair for New York breds at one mile.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using El Salsero, Cherryonthebottom and Micky’s Doll in the fifth, Newyearresolution and Bubbles Again in the sixth, Excess Taxes, Family Guy and Brooker in the seventh and Topanga Canyon and Only Girls in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/20. Money: (previous day/meet total): $7.20/$99.80. Total money bet: $100.