Vencer gets test at a route

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Vencer scored such a flashy win against maidens in his debut on May 15 that owner Stan Fulton and trainer Rafael Becerra nominated him for Saturday's $100,000 Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Fulton and Becerra feel Vencer is stakes quality, but they plan to bypass the Affirmed in favor of a $50,000 allowance race over 1 1/16 miles on Wednesday.

If Vencer wins, he will be considered for the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on July 10.

"When this race came up I said, 'This will be easier,' " Becerra said. "We can find out where we're at."

won a six-furlong maiden race by four lengths last month. Wednesday's allowance race will be his first test in a route and first appearance against older horses.

Since his debut, Vencer has had four published workouts. On June 6, he worked seven furlongs in 1:24.80, the fastest of five recorded works at the distance.

Vencer has speed and could be joined on the front by Cozy Guy, a winner of two consecutive allowance races for statebreds. Trained by Dan Hendricks, Cozy Guy won an allowance race by two lengths on May 5.

Baldwin County, Bullistic, and Spriggzee will attract support.

is making his first start for trainer Ron Ellis, having been claimed for $40,000 after an eight-length win over 1 1/16 miles here on April 22.

was third in his only start this year, an allowance race over 6 1/2 furlongs. Trained by John Shirreffs, Bullistic was third in the Affirmed Handicap and fifth in the Swaps Stakes last year.

He won a maiden race over 1 1/16 miles here last year.

, a maiden winner at Santa Anita in March, is making his first start on dirt at Hollywood following a sixth in an allowance race on turf here on May 8.

In the seventh race, The Toast of Troy goes for her third consecutive win within a month in a $50,000 allowance race for fillies and mares over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. Trained by Barry Abrams, The Toast of Troy won a $40,000 claiming race on May 23 and a first condition allowance race last Friday. Both races were over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

The Toast of Troy faces seven opponents, including Market Garden, who ran a game second at 11-1 in a one-mile turf race at this level on June 3.