Euroglide trying to end skid

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - There was a time early in Euroglide's career that trainer Peter Eurton thought the gelding would become a stakes winner. Now, he just wants Euroglide to win a race of any kind.

After winning his first two races, in 2007, Euroglide has lost nine consecutive starts, a streak that bettors must consider Friday at Hollywood Park. Euroglide is part of a field of 10 in a $35,000 to $40,000 claimer at six furlongs on turf, the seventh race on an eight-race evening program.

"He has talent," Eurton said of Euroglide. "He doesn't have the strongest mind in the world. He gets scared."

Eurton said that Euroglide's limitation is based on his reluctance to pass horses. When he won a maiden race and an optional claimer in the spring of 2007, he was on or near the lead throughout.

Euroglide has not shown the same speed in recent starts. In his last start, Euroglide passed a few horses in a $32,000 claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Oct. 16, giving Eurton hope that the 4-year-old is making progress.

"He wouldn't do that before," he said. "Sometimes, it happens by accident. He got left and got back and passes horses."

Euroglide has drawn post 4 in Friday's race and will be ridden by Michael Baze, who was aboard for the Oct. 16 race.

"I'm glad he's drawn inside," Eurton said. "If you draw on the outside, it's tough to overcome. I see him probably in the middle of the pack and passing horses."

Despite his dismal recent record, Euroglide fits in Friday's race. None of the runners finished first or second in their last start, and only one other finished third - Rabatash. A 4-year-old gelding, Rabatash will make his first start for trainer Paddy Gallagher on Friday.

A Group 3 stakes winner in Ireland in August 2006, Rabatash has lost his last nine starts. In his last race, which came for trainer Barclay Tagg, Rabatash was third in a $35,000 claimer.