Hollywood Park: Eurton goes for nine in row in Southern California

Trainer Peter Eurton did not lose at Santa Anita in April.

From April 5 to April 14, Eurton saddled eight consecutive winners, a personal milestone. The only loss he sustained during that span was a second by She’s Cheeky in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland.

On Thursday, Eurton’s Southern California winning streak will be tested when Chickie Charms starts in the $70,000 Harry Henson Stakes for 3-year-olds over six furlongs on turf.

Chickie Charms gave Eurton his eighth win of the streak, in a maiden race.

“I’m asking a lot there,” Eurton said of Chickie Charms’s chances. “It’s not an easy spot.”

The streak was well under way before Eurton realized what was going on, he says.

“I wasn’t even thinking about it,” he said. “Then everyone brought it to my attention.”

The win streak has been part of a strong year for Eurton, who has won with 15 of 59 starters. That is without Weemissfrankie, who won two Grade 1 races for 2-year-old fillies last year – the Del Mar Debutante and Oak Leaf Stakes. She was later sidelined with a nondisplaced condylar fracture that required surgery last December.

“She’s on the track jogging,” Eurton said. “We’re being cautious. If she’s not 100 percent, I won’t put her into gallops. I’m in no hurry.”

Derby Gold eyes Grey Memo Stakes

Derby Gold, winner of the Echo Eddie Stakes for California-breds on March 31, is likely to start in Saturday’s $70,000 Grey Memo Stakes over seven furlongs, trainer Bob Baffert said Tuesday.

Derby Gold would have been a leading contender for Saturday’s $300,000 Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/8 miles.

Baffert said last weekend that Derby Gold was briefly out of training earlier this month because of sore shins. On Monday, Derby Gold worked five furlongs at Hollywood Park in 1:00.60.