Will Rogers Downs: Joe Hollywood's speed dangerous in Route 66

Joe Hollywood’s best asset is his natural speed and his new connections have no plans of stifling it on Tuesday, when he runs in the $50,000 Route 66 at Will Rogers Downs. Joe Hollywood will be chasing his third straight win, against a field that includes Credit Report, who was third in last year’s Iowa Sprint Handicap.

The six-furlong Route 66, which is for 3-year-olds and up, drew a field of eight horses. Others set to start include Solar Charge, who was third in the $50,000 Sam Houston Sprint Cup in his most recent start Feb. 22, and Cockeyed Cowboy, who has won his last three starts in a streak that began at Penn National in December.

Joe Hollywood was a $40,000 claim two starts ago at Fair Grounds, winning a main track sprint that day with a Beyer Speed Figure of 96. In his first start for End Zone Athletics and trainer Karl Broberg, he captured an optional $40,000 claiming turf sprint March 9, also at Fair Grounds. Joe Hollywood will break from post 6 on Tuesday, under Glen Murphy.

“It looks like there’s a bunch of speed in the race, but we just need to be the speed of the speed,” said Broberg.

Joe Hollywood is the latest sprinter of quality to take up residence in the Broberg stable. The group is led by Heitai, who is headed next for the Grade 3, $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn and is a long-range candidate for the new $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint.

Broberg also trains Triumph and Song, who won three straight stakes this winter to be named horse of the meet at Sam Houston.

Joe Hollywood was claimed with an eye to turf sprints, said Broberg.

“Our plan is to get him going five [furlongs] on the turf,” he said. “Six furlongs looks like it could get a little dicey for him. But this spot just looked like a logical spot if we’re ever gong to take a shot at the stakes.”

Joe Hollywood should go favored on the strength of his recent form. The second choice could be Cockeyed Cowboy, who has built his win streak at Penn National. His recent wins have all come in optional $25,000 claiming races, each at six furlongs. Cockeyed Cowboy last raced March 13, tracking the pace and going on to a two-length win at 3-5.