Extra eighth may be problem for Lennyfromalibu in Khaled

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The distance of Saturday's $150,000 Khaled Stakes at Hollywood Park poses a challenge for Lennyfromalibu.

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It is hard to fault Lennyfromalibu's record. Owned by breeder Madeline Auerbach and trained by Barry Abrams, Lennyfromalibu has risen to prominence since last fall.

"He's getting older and more mature, I guess," Abrams said. "He's in a groove right now."

The same cannot be said for Adminniestrator or Continental Red.

Adminniestrator won the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf for California-breds and Florida-breds in January 2003, but is winless in his last seven starts. He has been claimed twice during that span, most recently for $40,000 in a one-mile turf race at Santa Anita on April 8 by trainer Doug O'Neill.

"He's amazing. He's been all over the map as far as conditions," O'Neill said. "Knock on wood, he looks fantastic. It looks like the farther, the better for him."

Continental Red, the 2002 California-bred horse of the year, is making his 60th career start. Since his championship season, he has had erratic form and bad luck. His only stakes win since 2002 came in the Quicken Tree Stakes for statebreds last June at Hollywood Park.

In the last six months, Continental Red has been second in the California Cup Mile (to Lennyfromalibu), second in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Handicap in late December, and a game third in the Grade 2 San Luis Obispo Handicap in February, losing by a neck.

His last race can be easily dismissed - a 10th-place finish in the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Handicap at Santa Anita on March 20.

At the start, Continental Red lost his footing with his front and back legs so badly that his stomach appeared to hit the ground. He left the gate several lengths behind the rest of the field, essentially losing all chance.

"I can't believe he didn't get hurt," his trainer, Ian Jory, said. "It's a shame. I think he would have been tough."

Continental Red, 8, is likely to run from off the pace. Lennyfromalibu is likely to be on the lead, as will Black Bart, who won two consecutive minor stakes at Turf Paradise in March.

Jory is confident that the distance will work in favor of Continental Red and against Lennyfromalibu.

"We'll run him down," he said. "He only just beat us in the California Cup, and that was a mile."

Owned by Wes and Sharon Fitzpatrick, Continental Red has earned $1,071,558, making him the richest member of the Khaled field.

"He's done it the hard way, with lots of seconds and thirds," Jory said. "I don't see him slowing down at all. He's sound. He's unbelievable."