Carryover gives card a spark

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A pick-six carryover of $125,061 gives Thursday's eight-race program at Hollywood Park a much-needed boost.

The pick six covers the third through eighth races, a sequence that includes two six-horse fields and an allowance race for California-bred fillies and mares that has drawn seven. Typical of a weekday program in Southern California, there are two races for maiden claimers in the pick six.

Five of the six races will be run at a mile or shorter.

A $42,000 allowance race at 7 1/2 furlongs, run as the seventh, is the feature, where bettors might need to spread their selections.

will go off as the favorite, but Best Friend Gracie and the improving Synful Thought also merit consideration.

The first five starts of career produced one win and three seconds. She has yet to win against winners, but that could happen on Thursday.

Trainer Tim Yakteen preferred to run Best Friend Gracie at 1 1/16 miles, but the distance of Thursday's race was shortened on entry day to attract starters.

"I've been wanting to route her, and going back to one turn is not what we aimed at," Yakteen said. "She's doing super, and she's got tactical speed to place her close."

Owned by Florence Arnold, Best Friend Gracie was a game second in a similar race at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 18. She led to early stretch but was beaten three-quarters of a length.

"She got a little keen in the route," Yakteen said. "I'm sure she'll relax turning back in distance. The fractions should be quicker."

Classical Lady, trained by Jeff Mullins, is winless in seven starts, dating back to a $62,500 claimer on turf here in May. Claimed for $62,500 in July, Classical Lady, 3, has been second or third in four subsequent starts for owner Bob Bone.

Classical Lady has not started since finishing second in a sprint on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Nov. 3. Classical Lady has worked quickly at Santa Anita in the past month, including two bullet workouts at a half-mile and five furlongs.

, a maiden winner in her debut on Nov. 16, will attract support. Trained by Mike Machowsky, Synful Thought overcame trouble to win a seven-furlong maiden race by 2 1/2 lengths under Martin Pedroza at 13-1. She is likely to be near the front early, along with Classical Lady and Home Ice.