HOLLYWOOD PARK : Prized Will Not Run in Californian
Prized, who was third behind Exbourne and Itsallgreektome in the Hollywood Turf Handicap last month, will not be among the starters in Sunday’s $300,000 Californian at Hollywood Park.
There had been discussion that the 5-year-old Kris. S. horse would run in both the Californian and the Hollywood Gold Cup, but trainer Neil Drysdale has decided to wait for the $1-million Gold Cup June 29.
“I feel he got enough out of his last start, so we’ll wait for the Gold Cup,” Drysdale said.
Louis Cyphre, who won the Mervyn LeRoy May 19, is expected to head the field for the Grade I Californian, which is at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. The 5-year-old Niniski horse will be seeking his third consecutive victory Sunday. He won the Budweiser Breeders’ Cup at Golden Gate Fields in April. Jose Santos will again ride for trainer Bobby Frankel.
Others expected to start are Anshan, who worked five furlongs in 59 1/5 Wednesday; Music Prospector, who has yet to run this year; Ultrasonido; Super May; My Boy Adam, and Roanoke.
After two days of carryovers, there were 15 winning tickets in Wednesday’s Pick Six at Hollywood Park.
Chasing a $329,720 carryover created when there were no perfect tickets Saturday and Sunday, the pool was $1,099,449 Wednesday. The Pick Six paid $51,270 on a day when only one favorite, Surprise News in the ninth race, was successful.
Two fillies in the ninth race, Cologera and Miss Jet Set, could have caused another carryover, but the two longshots finished last and next-to-last.
Jockey Christine Davenport won for the first time since Aug. 31 when she rode Gabbing Gloria to a $57.40 victory in the first race.
Davenport, 25, who missed most of the Santa Anita meeting because of a broken pelvis, hadn’t visited the winner’s circle since Mats Dolly won wire to wire in a maiden race at Del Mar. The victory was also the first for Davenport at Hollywood Park since the fall of 1989.
A 5-year-old Desert Wine mare, Gabbing Gloria hardly looked like the vehicle to end Davenport’s slump. She had only one second place in the previous 14 races and had won only two of 34 outings. Trained by Torsten Bertram, who won with 171-1 shot Uppie Duppie earlier in the meeting, Gabbing Gloria had to be vanned off the track after the race.
In addition to simulcasting the Belmont Stakes and the Nassau County Handicap from Belmont Park Saturday, Hollywood Park will simulcast the Mother Goose Stakes from the Elmont, N.Y., track Sunday.
Although the Mother Goose isn’t much of a betting race, it will bring together Lite Light and Meadow Star for the first time since the Breeders’ Cup.
Corey Nakatani, Lite Light’s regular rider, isn’t shy about his mount’s chances Sunday. “I think she’ll win,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. She’s doing great right now. She’s been training well (in New York). I think the race will show it all.”
Winner of her last four starts, including a 10-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks, Lite Light hasn’t lost since being bought by rapper M.C. Hammer’s Oaktown Stable.
“I think it was a smart choice running against Meadow Star (rather than try the Belmont Stakes),” Nakatani said. “If you beat (Meadow Star) right now, and then later in the year get in some less competitive races, (Lite Light) will win the Eclipse. All she has to do is beat Meadow Star.”
Horse Racing Notes
Mellow Mood, who was bought for $650 as a 2-year-old, won her debut against $32,000 maiden fillies and mares in Wednesday’s second race. Trained by Ari Dagonel and ridden by apprentice Felipe Martinez, the 3-year-old daughter of Bel Bolide led all the way in her $32 upset. . . . Jockey Pat Valenzuela and trainer Bill Spawr combined for a double with Bin Jer in the fourth and Joe Nasr in the fifth. . . . Gary Stevens rode two winners, L’Tov in the sixth and Heavy Rain in the eighth, to take over the lead in the jockey standings. He has 30 victories, two more than Chris McCarron.
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