Four-way battle in six-horse field

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Of the 63 horses entered on Wednesday's eight-race program at Hollywood Park, only four are not entered for a claiming price or are not maidens.

Of those four - Fire Bolt, Getthepartystarted, Minnie the Moocher, and The Dempsey Look - one is likely to win the fifth race, a $51,000 optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

They are part of a six-horse field that includes Awesome Lady and The Usual, who have been entered for $62,500 claiming prices.

Two of the non-claimers - Getthepartystarted and Minnie the Moocher - were claimed last fall and have turned out to be lucrative purchases.

may go favored. She drew the rail and has loads of speed.

One of the main drawbacks facing the 4-year-old filly is that she has never run on turf. A winner of 4 of 10 starts, Minnie the Moocher won a six-furlong optional claimer at Santa Anita on Feb. 11, and was second against a tougher field at the same distance on March 23.

Minnie the Moocher was claimed for $40,000 by Thunder Racing Stable and Mike Mitchell last October and has subsequently earned $58,400.

Minnie the Moocher will be closely tracked by , a minor stakes winner in Brazil in 2003. Trained by Jeff Mullins for Cornejo Racing, Fire Bolt has made three starts in the United States, finishing first or second in each.

In her most recent start, her only U.S. race on turf, Fire Bolt led in an allowance on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on April 7, but was caught late and finished second. She lost to Polyfirst, a stakes-caliber mare.

Getthepartystarted and The Dempsey Look need a quick pace to have any chance.

was third behind Polyfirst and Fire Bolt on April 7. She won two high-priced claimers on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita earlier this year. Since being claimed for $50,000 in November, Getthepartystarted has won $64,840 for Baja Racing Stable and trainer Jenine Sahadi.

was a fast-closing second behind Getthepartystarted in a $62,500 claimer at Santa Anita on March 10. The race marked the best performance from The Dempsey Look since she was claimed for $62,500 from Mitchell last June.

Winless in her last six starts, The Dempsey Look has drawn the outside post in the field of six.

A win by Awesome Lady or The Usual would be an upset. Both ran poorly at Santa Anita in their last start.