Giant Basil set to go for Frankel

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The promise that Giant Basil showed with two early-season wins last year dissipated with losses in stakes in Kentucky and Belmont Park last spring and summer.

Nearly a year later, after recovering from an injury, Giant Basil will make his 4-year-old debut in a $55,000 allowance race at Hollywood Park on Wednesday, his first start for trainer Bobby Frankel.

Giant Basil has been in Frankel's barn for three months, the trainer said. Owned by Live Oak Plantation, Giant Basil underwent surgery to have a bone chip removed last summer, said Frankel.

Frankel had hoped to start Giant Basil earlier this year, but an illness slowed the colt's comeback.

"He's been ready to run for a long time," Frankel said. "He got a temperature when I got him ready."

A winner of 2 of 7 starts and $60,306, Giant Basil has not started since finishing eighth as the 5-2 favorite in the Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont Park last June. He earned the role of favorite in that race after finishing a troubled fourth in the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs last May. At the time, Giant Basil was trained by Nick Zito.

Giant Basil has six rivals on Wednesday, including the ex-claimers Devil's Bay and Quest Venture, and Timias, who has not started since August.

Devil's Bay was claimed for $80,000 on April 21 by Southern Equine Stable and trainer Eric Guillot. Devil's Bay set the pace in that race and was beaten a neck by Grafton.

Quest Venture was claimed for $50,000 by Rising Sun Racing Stable and trainer John Sadler on Feb. 28. Quest Venture returned to win a one-mile allowance race on turf on March 31, racing on the lead throughout.

Timias has 1 victory in 5 starts in this country, an allowance race at Hollywood Park in April 2006. Trained by Ben Cecil, Timias was fifth in an optional claimer at Del Mar last August, his most recent start. Timias is a stalker who could benefit from a quick pace.

* Caribbean, who ran in four consecutive group or graded stakes in the spring and summer of 2006, heads a $51,000 allowance race over a mile on turf in the second race.