NGLEWOOD, Calif. - Want the winner of the first leg of the pick six Thursday at Hollywood Park? Race 3 is a 4 1/2-furlong sprint for 2-year-old maiden fillies, and how tough could it be?
True, all eight entrants are first-time starters. But relevant clues are in all the obvious places. Just look for a filly with quick workouts, a precocious pedigree, from a stable that wins first out. Then either press the "all" button or single a potential standout.
MIAMI - With the Triple Crown now in the rear-view mirror, Smooth Air is ready to begin the rest of his 3-year-old campaign, a second season that may begin May 31 in Thistledown's Grade 2 Ohio Derby.
Smooth Air returned from Churchill Downs none the worse for wear from his 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. He had his chances compromised right off the bat when he broke into the air and then checked a couple of times during the long run to the clubhouse turn.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - El Gato Malo opened some new doors for himself last Saturday at Lone Star Park, when he rallied for a half-length win over Leonides in the Grade 3, $400,000 Lone Star Derby. The race was his first on dirt after running exclusively on synthetic tracks in California. It was also the first time he shipped out of state, his first start in blinkers, and he caught temperatures in the 90s in Texas.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Ten-pound apprentice rider Brandon Meier made his career debut in the fourth race last Sunday at Arlington Park. Meier was giving up mountains of experience to the other jockeys in the race, and he even wound up - through no fault of his own - getting into a seriously tough spot about a half-mile from the finish line. But those impediments were no match for the force of nature in young Meier's corner - trainer Wayne Catalano.
A pair of 3-year-old fillies shipping in from out of state attracted the most betting money, but locally based Dulce Realidad dominated Tuesday's $75,000 Trevose Stakes at Philadelphia Park.
After dueling with the 2-1 second choice, Phantom Income, through a half-mile in 45.19 seconds, Dulce Realidad ($13.40) took command midway on the turn and drew clear to win the 6 1/2-furlong Trevose by four lengths under jockey Jose Flores.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Although two weeks of fair racing is scheduled there for Aug. 6-17, for most people, the Bay Meadows era ended Sunday with the final day of the spring meet.
Appropriately for jockey Russell Baze, who has won more races than any other rider at Bay Meadows - called Baze Meadows by some - what may have been his last ride at the track resulted in a victory, giving him 130 for the meeting and his 40th Bay Meadows riding championship.
Baze will be in England this summer during the Bay Meadows Fair, competing in an international jockey competition.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - On the Acorn, the surprise winner of Saturday's Grade 2 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park, may have earned a mini-vacation after his upset win.
Trainer Mike Mitchell is debating how often to run the 7-year-old gelding this summer. On Sunday, he was considering the $150,000 Sunset Handicap over 1o1/2 miles on turf on July 13, the final day of the current spring-summer meeting, or the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap over 1 3/8 miles on turf on Aug. 23.
Deputy's Whirl ($12.80) earned her second straight stakes win of the season with a 2 1/4 length victory in the $16,350 Princess Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Lincoln on Sunday afternoon.
With apprentice Chris Fackler aboard, Deputy's Whirl shook off a backstretch duel with Annadacious to draw clear in 1:16.40 for six furlongs over a track labeled good. Deputy's Whirl had previously given Fackler his first career stakes win at Fonner Park in the Special Stakes on April 19 for owner/trainer Bob Rising.
AUBURN, Wash. - Fear No Evil ($21) went to the front at the start and held on tenaciously to prevail by a head over Gallon in Sunay's $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:09.60.
Margo's Gift, a slight favorite over Gallon in the wagering, finished another length back in third in the field of six.
Fear No Evil was ridden by Leslie Mawing for trainer Frank Lucarelli and owner Chris Randall. He earned $27,500 for his second win from six career starts.
Million Dollar Run won the first race of her career in the most unlikely spot - Sunday's $110,400 Railbird Stakes at Hollywood Park.
Making the second start of her career, Million Dollar Run ($31.40) ran seven furlongs in a brisk 1:20.66 under jockey Joel Rosario. The winning time just missed the track record of 1:20.50 set last December by Soul City Slew.
Owned by breeder Everest Stable and trained by Marcelo Polanco, Million Dollar Run stalked pacesetter Peisinoe through early fractions of 22.13 and 44.45 seconds before taking the lead in early stretch.