Necessary Evil takes on boys

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - At first glance, it seems odd that Necessary Evil starts in Sunday's $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship at Hollywood Park. She is a filly who could have been entered in the $100,000 Landaluce Stakes the same day at the same track for the same purse.

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As a Grade 3 race, the six-furlong Juvenile has more appeal for the partnership of Dapple Stable and Glencrest Farm and trainer Doug O'Neill. The Landaluce is not graded, and Necessary Evil's flashy win by 3 3/4 lengths in a five-furlong maiden race on May 31 has given them a further reason to try males.

"It was a combination of what she did in the first race and we want to try a graded race," said Leandro Mora, O'Neill's assistant trainer. "It's not like the field is tough."

Necessary Evil, who drew the rail, is part of a five-horse field that includes the first three finishers of the Willard Proctor Stakes on June 4 - Classical Slew, Grace Upon Grace, and Zip Quik - and Coo Cachoo, winner of a two-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita on April 2.

Classical Slew is trained by O'Neill and is unbeaten in two starts. He will be a threat if Necessary Evil sets too fast of a pace.

"He has different speed," Mora said. "He's built to go short, but he looks like he wants to go long."

Grace Upon Grace was closing well in the final furlong of the Proctor, run over 5 1/2 furlongs. Trainer Walther Solis intended to run Grace Upon Grace in the Graduation Stakes for statebreds at Del Mar on July 29, and may still run him there.

"It's not that tough of horses," Solis said of the Juvenile. "There are horses that have speed, and I hope that will work for me."

Zip Quik made his debut in the Proctor and returned to win a maiden race over 5 1/2 furlongs by two lengths on June 20. Trainer Patrick Biancone describes Zip Quick as "lazy" in training. "He does the minimum, like he does in his races," he said. "But he's a very, very good horse."

Coo Cachoo could be on the front with Necessary Evil. He has worked well recently but is facing a major test and has had only one race.

"It's kind of a tough deal, going from two furlongs to six furlongs," trainer BlakeoHeap said.