'Hurry Home' back to sprinting

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - By any measure, this Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting has been a success for the 3-year-old Hurry Home Warren.

He won the Harry Henson Stakes at six furlongs on turf in late April and returned May 19 to finish fourth in the Grade 3 Will Rogers Stakes at a mile on turf.

Hurry Home Warren can win his second race of the meeting in an optional claimer at six furlongs on turf Thursday. The race conditions are suited to the gelding's strength.

"I think he's more effective going six," trainer Jesse Mendoza said. "We tried him going two turns and it didn't work out. I learned the hard way. He's not as effective going two turns."

Hurry Home Warren has a strong record in turf sprints. He has won 2 of 3 starts at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park and was second in his only loss. In the Harry Henson Stakes, he led throughout and was fully extended to win by a neck. In the Will Rogers, Hurry Home Warren led to the final furlong and was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Worldly, the topweight in Saturday's Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park.

"It was still a good race," Mendoza said. "They only caught him in the last sixteenth of a mile."

Owned by Chris Drakos, Hurry Home Warren is one of 10 entrants in Thursday's race. Hurry Home Warren breaks from post 5 and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza, who was aboard in the Henson Stakes.

"I think he's got a good chance," Mendoza said.

Mendoza is hoping Thursday's race will lead to another start around two turns, possibly in the Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on July 18.

"The main goal could be the Oceanside," Mendoza said. "Maybe off this race, we could try him one more time going two turns."

Hurry Home Warren has led in both of his wins, but may face pressure in this race from Only One Way. Trained by John Sadler, Only One Way won an allowance race at six furlongs on the main track at Golden Gate Fields on May 26, fighting for the lead throughout. Only One Way won a turf sprint for claimers here last December.

Gray Black N White and Bedford Falls are coming off sharp wins in late May.

Gray Black N White was claimed for $40,000 in his last start and is jumping to the $62,500 level in his first start for trainer Brian Koriner.