Cecil tries to extend his strong showing
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - With a stable that is low on runners but high on promising horses, trainer Ben Cecil is off to a strong start at the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting.
Through Sunday, he had won with two of his first three runners. Wednesday, one of those winners, Legal Precedent, will attempt to stay undefeated in a $51,000 allowance race for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
made his debut in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on turf on April 22, opening night of the meeting. He rallied from seventh in a field of eight to win by two lengths at7-1. He will be a much shorter price on Wednesday.
"I think he's a very good horse," Cecil said, adding that "I think he's come on a little bit" since his debut.
Owned by John Moore, Legal Precedent benefited from a quick pace in that maiden race. He responded quickly when urged by jockey Alex Solis, who retains the mount.
In Wednesday's race, the speed is likely to come from two starters on the inside - Bahamian Magic and Chant for Gold.
is winless in three starts since arriving from England over the winter. He showed speed when fourth in an optional claimer at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on April 3.
led throughout a one-mile maiden race on turf at Del Mar last September. He returned from a layoff of nearly eight months in a turf sprint for older horses here on April 29, finishing eighth.
Trainer Mike Mitchell starts Keg Tap. Claimed for $62,500 from a maiden race at Gulfstream Park on March 11, Keg Tap returned to finish a game second in an allowance race at that track on April 3. He was always near the front and took the lead in early stretch, but was beaten a neck.
There are two other allowance races on Wednesday's eight-race program.
In the sixth race, a first-condition allowance for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs, Strut Your Stuff will go favored against six rivals. Strut Your Stuff has been second in three consecutive races at this level. The maiden winner Date With Linda will try to lead throughout.
In the seventh race, Royal Stamp returns from a break of nearly 10 months in a $55,000 allowance at a mile on turf. Trained by Bobby Frankel, Royal Stamp won his only U.S. start, an allowance race at Del Mar last summer.