Hard to get past Figlio Mio and his 97

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A smashing comeback one month ago by Figlio Mio will be impossible for bettors to overlook in Wednesday's seventh race at Hollywood Park. Figlio Mio, the lone Cal-bred in the field, will be favored in a field of eight in the one-other-than allowance, a seven-furlong sprint with a purse of $46,500.

Figlio Mio had been off for more than five months when he returned May 11 in a one-other-than allowance for Cal-breds. The 4-year-old Figlio Mio cruised. He settled in third position behind a hot pace, rallied to the lead into the lane, and won by 4 1/2 lengths in a quick 1:15.85 for 6 1/2 furlongs.

Trained by Ben Cecil and owned by Bull Market Stable, Figlio Mio's victory was his second in three starts. A gelding by Rubiano, Figlio Mio earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, higher than four of the five races this meet for one-other-than sprinters. The median winning Beyer at this level has been 91.

Tyler Baze has the return mount on Figlio Mio, who may win by simply reproducing his comeback.

Some handicappers will project significant improvement from either Toqueville or Battle God.

Toqueville had been away for 15 months when trainer Neil Drysdale brought him back in a seven-furlong sprint May 25. Toqueville raced evenly and finished fifth, beaten three lengths. He ran like a horse who needed the start. A son of French Deputy, Toqueville has posted higher Beyer Figures in the past than he did in his comeback. He will improve, the question is how much.

Toqueville, by French Deputy, has won one of five races. Gary Stevens was named to ride, but a replacement rider is expected to be named after Stevens suffered an injury Sunday. Toqueville breaks from the inside post, which has produced a disproportionately high ratio of winners this meet in seven-furlong races - 8 for 42.

Battle God finished a dull fifth in his comeback May 4 on the turf, but now returns to the main track and adds blinkers. Battle God's three main-track sprints are his three best efforts. A return to the form he produced last summer at Del Mar would be good enough to win on Wednesday. Previously trained by Bob Hess, Battle God is now trained by Bobby Frankel.

The other starters are Tombstone, winner of a highly rated maiden race in his United States debut; Olympioso, who has been off for 2 1/2 years; longshot late-runner Daunting; consistent claiming horse Power Wing; and Savior.