Turf route toughens carryover hit

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A puzzling allowance race/optional claimer over 1 1/2 miles on turf is part of a pick six with a $128,253 carryover at Hollywood Park on Wednesday.

The eight-race program includes the return of Wooden Phone, the winner of the Strub Stakes at Santa Anita last February who has been out of action since the spring. Wooden Phone starts in an allowance race/optional claimer over 7 1/2 furlongs in the second race, which is not part of the pick six.

The pick six races include three races for maidens - a special weight over 1 1/16 miles on turf, a claimer for fillies and mares over 6 1/2 furlongs; and a claimer for juveniles over 1 1/16 miles.

The races for winners include a $20,000 claimer for fillies and mares over six furlongs; a $25,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies over 7 1/2 furlongs; and the long-distance allowance/optional claimer.

Devon Deputy, claimed for $100,000 when third in a similar race at Santa Anita on Oct. 17, may go favored. Now trained by Bob Hess, Jr., Devon Deputy was second in the San Luis Rey Handicap at Santa Anita last March and fifth in the Escondido Handicap at Del Mar in August. Corey Nakatani rides Devon Deputy, who is entered for an $80,000 claiming price.

Trainer Neil Drysdale starts Loving, who breaks from the rail under Gary Stevens. Loving was sixth behind Devon Deputy on Oct. 17, and fourth in the Grade 2 Sunset Handicap over 1 1/2 miles on turf here on July 15. He won an allowance race over 1 1/4 miles on this turf course on June 21.

A horse who always threatens to run well is Continental Red, who is winless in his last 16 starts. Trained by Ian Jory, Continental Red was second against Devon Deputy and Loving on Oct. 17. Earlier this year, he was second in the Escondido Handicap and third in the Quicken Tree Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on this turf course last April.

The distance should not be a problem for Flo the Blo, the winner of an allowance race over 1 3/8 miles at Del Mar on July 25. He was second at Bay Meadows on Sept. 30, his most recent start.

In the second race, Wooden Phone is likely to be favored against four others despite the layoff. Following the Strub, he was second in the Santa Anita Handicap, but fourth in the Lone Star Mile in May, his most recent start.

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