SOPHOMORE FILLIES VIE IN AMERICAN OAKS
Hollywood Park will host a big day of racing on Saturday with four stakes events, three of which are graded ties. The headliner is the $350,000 American Oaks (G1), a 10-furlong test on the lawn for sophomore turf distaffers. Among the top draws for this fine affair include Irish import and Group 1 heroine Nayarra, the top three from the Honeymoon H. (G2); My Gi Gi, Lady of Shamrock and Stormy Lucy, Euro stakes vixen Miss Cato and Italian Oaks (Ity-G2) runner-up Angegreen.
Fillies and mares will travel seven furlongs in the $200,000 A Gleam S. (G2). Trainer Bob Baffert holds a heavy hand in this field, with recent stakes winner American Lady and sharp allowance miss Glamorista, both of whom will need further improvement to keep this barn’s fine streak here going.
Also included in this field are Grade 1 heroine Teddy’s Promise, two-time Grade 1 queen Switch, multiple Grade 1 runner-up Sugarinthemorning and Las Flores (G3) queen Izzy Rules.
The $150,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3) for juveniles could be a good one, but the clear horse to beat is the most impressive Amarish. Trainer by Jeff Bonde, the splendid gelded colt by Scat Daddy has run a pair of fields off of their respective feet and should be very tough with something close to his best.
Well-meant debut winner Carson’s Crown, Strong Wind, a big maiden winner in his third start last time; swift maiden claiming romper Scherer Magic, Willard Proctor runner-up Moreno’s Mine and Just Call Me Al, fifth in the Proctor after a fine debut win, will hope to upset the likely odds-on favorite.
The $150,000 Landaluce S. is also slated for Saturday, while the Sunday headliner is the $100,000 Sunset H. (G3), the traditional closing race of the meeting before the action shifts to Del Mar.