Golden Arrow should end losing streak

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Golden Arrow started the year on a bright note, winning a $60,000 allowance race at Santa Anita in January, but since then frustrations have mounted in three consecutive losses.

On Friday, Golden Arrow will be favored to end that losing streak when he starts in the restricted Flame Thrower Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park.

The $62,000 race drew six horses, but only five will start. Shadow of Illinois was mistakenly entered. The race is restricted to horses who have not won $40,000 on two occasions in 2004 and 2005. Shadow of Illinois accomplished that feat with two victories earlier this year at Santa Anita.

, 6, races for Henry Pabst and is trained by Neil Drysdale. Golden Arrow followed his win at Santa Anita with a troubled third in an allowance race in March, a third in the San Simeon Handicap in April, and a half-length loss in the restricted Bullet Stakes over five furlongs here May 27.

Golden Arrow was unlucky not to win at least one of those. In the allowance race in March, he was second when the field reached the dirt crossover. He hopped at that junction, causing jockey Jose Valdivia, Jr. to briefly lose his left iron. Golden Arrow lost the race by 2 1/4 lengths to Mighty Beau, who went on to win the Grade 3 Aegon Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in May.

In the San Simeon, Golden Arrow led at the eighth pole, but faded to finish a length behind Shadow of Illinois. In the Bullet Stakes, Golden Arrow made up five lengths in the final quarter-mile and lost by a half-length to Stormin' Lyon.

"He tries so hard and he's always there," Drysdale said.

The Flame Thrower marks the turf debut of , the winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Futurity in 2003. Trained by Richard Mandella and owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Siphonizer was third in his last start, an allowance race over seven furlongs here May 12. He is winless in three starts since taking an allowance race at Churchill Downs in April 2004.

The biggest threats to Golden Arrow are Billy's Echo and Moth Ball. Both can be part of the pace. Billy's Echo was third in the Bullet Stakes and won an $80,000 claimer over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in November.

is winless in four stakes starts in this country. In England last year, he won three sprints at distances between five and six furlongs on turf.