Hollypark Attracts 21,344 for Night Racing

Winning her third race in four starts since arriving from Europe, Heart of Joy scored a 3 1/2-length victory in the $60,000 Convenience Stakes as Hollywood Park launched its six-night series of Friday racing programs.

The crowd was 21,344, which was lower than any of the four Friday-night cards that were run last year. Those nights, which were heavily promoted, averaged 23,727.

Countus In, winner of the Matriarch last December in her most recent Hollywood Park appearance, finished second in the Convenience, a head better than My Song For You, and it was two lengths farther back to Appealing Missy in a field of six fillies and mares.

Heart Of Joy is owned by John and Betty Mabee, trained by Gary Jones and was ridden by Chris McCarron. Heart Of Joy, a 4-year-old filly, began her American career with a win and a third-place finish at Santa Anita this winter, and then she won an allowance race at Hollywood Park three weeks ago.

Heart Of Joy was timed in 1:34 for the one-mile turf race and paid $3.80 to win as the favorite.

My Song For You broke the fastest and was the early leader, with Dead Heat in second and Heart Of Joy third. Heart Of Joy spurted past My Song For You with just over a mile to go and won comfortably.