Council Member makes U.S. debut

Council Member, who has won three of 12, will make his first start in the U.S. on Thursday in the eighth race at Belmont Park. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $34,021.

Owned by Godolphin Stable and trained by Saeed bin Suroor, the 5-year-old son of Seattle Slew will race on Lasix for the first time in the $49,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

It will be the first outing for Council Member since he finished second in a race at Lingfield in England last Oct. 21. He will break from the rail and will be ridden by Garrett Gomez.

One of the other contenders in the field of seven is Lucky Gamble. A 6-year-old son of Dove Hunt owned by Weatherwatch Farm and trained by Bruce Levine, Lucky Gamble has won 11 of 37 and earned nearly $323,000. A two-time winner at Belmont, the Florida bred will be ridden by Eibar Coa.

Lifestyle, a 7-year-old Indian Charlie horse owned by trainer Wesley Ward, will make his first start in New York since he finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Oct. 29, 2005.

John Velazquez will ride the three-time winner, who will be making his first start on dirt in 2007. He had one victory in three races on the grass at Gulfstream Park and Keeneland.

Race of the day: Go West Madam, who has won her last two races around one turn by a combined 11 1/4 lengths, will make her first appearance on Hollywood Park’s Cushion track in the seventh race. Michael Baze will ride the 3-year-old West Acre filly for MPC Stables and trainer Jeff Mullins in the $49,000 allowance at six furlongs. In her final start of the Santa Anita meet, Go West Madam won a $62,500 claimer by more than six lengths on April 6.

One for the road: Awesome Ashley had some traffic trouble in her return at Keeneland and can win the eighth race at Churchill Downs with a clean trip. Rafael Bejarano will ride the 3-year-old Unbridled’s Song filly for owner-breeder Alex Campbell Jr. and trainer Todd Pletcher in the $50,000 allowance at one mile. This will be the first start at Churchill for the gray, who was fourth in the Frizette, a Grade I, last Oct. 14 at Belmont.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using General Bueno in the first, Unrivaled Song and Lang Field in the second, Billie Bob, Hi Lily Hi Lo and Lauren C in the third and River Lane, Jimmie Pong and Court Seeker in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/29. Money: (previous day/meet total): $6.20/$158. Total money bet: $208.

 Bob.Mieszerski@latimes.com