Hollywood Honey has starring role

POMONA, Calif. - Trainer Wesley Ward claims that his Fairplex Park holster is almost empty. Ward won three races Tuesday, giving him seven wins from 10 starters, but he does not expect the hot streak to last much longer. Five days into the 17-day meet, how could it?

"I don't have a lot more to run - all my races went the first part of the meet," Ward said, downplaying his chances at the remainder of the Los Angeles County Fair meet. Ward did not have any starters Wednesday or Thursday, but Friday in the $50,000 Pio Pico Stakes, his razor-sharp filly Hollywood Honey might be the one to beat.

Nine fillies and mares entered the 6 1/2-furlong Pio Pico Stakes, in which the other leading contenders are Sweetcakesanshakes, Joyful Meeting, and Bold Roberta. Also entered are Akron Avenue, Emerald Dixie, Aclevershadeofjade, Stop the Talking, and Icantgoforthat.

Hollywood Honey won her last two starts at Del Mar - a $50,000 claimer for 3-year-olds, and a Cal-bred first-level allowance - and Ward expects her good form to continue. "She seems to really like this track," he said.

Hollywood Honey has won 3 of 7, but her career was going nowhere until this summer at Del Mar. Ward said it was more than coincidence that the filly improved when ridden for the first time by Julie Krone.

"Julie has sort of a connection with her," Ward said, describing Hollywood Honey as "a flighty filly that wants to flip in the gate."

Ward found a suitable replacement for Krone on Friday: Martin Pedroza, who is the all-time leading rider at Fairplex. His 13-win total into the Wednesday card was nearly double that of the second-leading rider.

"Martin has no fear," Ward said. "This is his track."

The main nemesis for Hollywood Honey may be 8-year-old Sweetcakesanshakes. Trained by Leonard Dorfman, she has raced only 17 times in her career, winning six races.

P Town John wins Beau Brummel

Polish and finesse are usually not required with a speed horse, and jockey Frank Alvarado gave P Town John an aggressive ride Tuesday. It paid off when the 2-year-old won the $50,000 Beau Brummel Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over Anthony Eats.

P Town John, trained by Jeff Bonde, paid $6.20 in winning his third straight. Feb Eleven was third, 2-1 second choice Skipaslew finished fourth, Tricky Flash Flood was fifth, and pacesetter Cat Is Clean finished last.