Crocker Road has right style

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - So far, has not lived up to the potential of an A.P. Indy colt.

Crocker Road, 4, has won 2 of 8 starts in his career, but finished second or third in four consecutive allowance races earlier this year.

Those frustrating results could be behind Crocker Road. He won his last start, an allowance race at Del Mar on July 31, and returns in a $49,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles at Hollywood Park on Monday.

Monday is the final day of the Hollywood fall meeting. Santa Anita opens its winter-spring meeting on Dec. 26.

Crocker Road drew the outside in a field of 10, but has a stalking style that could be ideal for a large field. It is possible that Crocker Road could win on Monday and be considered for a stakes at Santa Anita in early 2006. He is well-suited to longer races, according to trainer Bobby Frankel.

"I don't think he'll have any problem going a distance," Frankel said.

Crocker Road must beat Distorted, Stratagem, and two South American-breds, El Elogiado and Molengao.

Distorted and Stratagem won their last starts.

Distorted won a first-condition allowance race at 1 1/16 miles by three lengths here on Nov. 13, stalking the pace throughout.

, claimed for $50,000 at Del Mar in August, won a first-condition allowance race here Nov. 20. Trained by Rafael Becerra, he is a closer that relies on a quick pace. Monday's race marks his 13th start of the year.

So far, the American careers of El Elogiado and Molengao have offered more promise than results. Both were third in their last starts.

El Elogiado, trained by Ron McAnally, was third in an optional claimer here Nov. 25. A Group 2 stakes winner in Argentina in 2003, El Elogiado is winless in seven starts since arriving in this country. He was seventh in the $1 million Pacific Classic in 2004.

Molengao finished third in an optional claimer at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 26. It was his first start since finishing sixth in an allowance race at Hollywood Park on June 18.

In the Oct. 26 race, Molengao rallied from last in a field of six to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind Gray Black n White.

Molengao, trained by Paulo Lobo, won an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles here on April 23 in his second U.S. start. Molengao made one start in Brazil in 2004, winning a maiden race.