Photo: Hollywood Park
First Settler and Restless Soul each worked seven furlongs
here Sunday for trainer Neil Drysdale in preparation for the $100,000 Grade III
Beverly Hills Handicap June 26.
First Settler was timed in 1:26.80 on the main track and
Restless Soul was clocked in 1:27 on turf for the Beverly Hills for fillies and
mares at 1 ¼ miles on grass.
First Settler, a 4-year-old filly who has won two of her
last three starts, will be ridden by Tyler Baze. Restless Soul, a 7-year-old
mare who finished third in the Beverly
Hills last year, will be ridden by Joe Talamo.
Other probable starters include Cozi Rosie and Timezone
(Mike Smith).
Defending champion Turning Top, Malibu Pier and Éclair de
Lune head a list of possible starters.
“Either the Beverly Hills or run her cold in the Beverly
D.,” said trainer Ron McAnally of Éclair de Lune, winner of the 2010 Beverly D.,
a Grade I at Arlington
Park.
JOCKEYS CATCHING
FLIGHTS
Several locally-based jockeys will ride in major stakes out
of town next weekend.
Garrett Gomez, who won the $250,000 Grade I Vanity Handicap
on Blind Luck Saturday, will seek further riches at Woodbine in Toronto.
Agent Tony Matos said that Gomez will ride Curgnone in the
$1-million Queen’s Plate June 26. He has also lined up mounts on Society’s
Chairman in the King Edward Stakes and Runfor Ro in the My Dear Stakes
Saturday. The same day Gomez will also ride Nordic Tune in the Highlander,
Grassy in the Singspiel and Silverleo in the Charlie Barley.
Canadian native Chantal Sutherland will also be at Woodbine
June 26 to ride Pender Harbour in the Queen’s Plate and Windward Islands in the
Singspiel, according to agent Brian Beach.
Agent Joe Ferrer said that Rafael Bejarano, the leading
rider at the Spring/Summer meet, will be at Prairie Meadows in Iowa Friday and
Saturday. Bejarano has taken calls on Ventana and Freedom Star for trainer Bob
Baffert in sprint stakes Friday and Prayer for Relief in the $250,000 Iowa
Derby for Baffert and Gladding in the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap for John
Sadler Saturday. Gladding worked six furlongs in 1:12 over Cushion Track
Sunday.
Agent Brad Pegram said that Mike Smith would also be at
Prairie Meadows Saturday for stakes engagements.
Agent Jim Pegram said that Martin Garcia would be in New
York Saturday to ride Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty for Baffert in the
$250,000 Grade I Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park.
Gomez will be on the road again July 2 to ride defending
champion Chinchon in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park.