HOLLYWOOD PARK : Profit Key Gets Test in Stakes Race in $75,000 Opening Day Matchup

Profit Key, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained son of Desert Wine who scored easy wins in his two Santa Anita appearances, gets tested for class Wednesday when facing seven rival 3-year-olds in the $75,000 Debonair Stakes, opening day feature at Hollywood Park.

Those attending on opening day will get their first look at Hollywood Park’s multimillion-dollar beautification program that was initiated last fall.

Wednesday’s card kicks off Hollywood Park’s 67-day spring/summer meeting, which extends through July 23. First post daily is 1:30 p.m.

Profit Key, who will carry 117 pounds and be ridden by Gary Stevens, meets multiple-stakes winner Doyouseewhatisee and Old Line Policy, victor in eight of his last nine races in Arizona, including four stakes. The latter pair is co-high weighted at 122 pounds for the seven-furlong event.

Profit Key’s triumphs at Santa Anita have been impressive.

He ran second in two maiden events at Del Mar last summer before returning to the races at Santa Anita. Profit Key broke his maiden by seven lengths while running six furlongs in 1:09.3. He scored by 2 1/2 over allowance foes at 2-5 odds while timed in 1:10.

“He is ready to run in a stakes race,” said assistant trainer Jeff Lukas. “His two wins have been very easy, and this race is a good distance for him because it gives us a chance to stretch him out. We’ll see how he handles it.”

Doyouseewhatisee has been worked by trainer Brian Mayberry in preparation for his return following a third-place finish in the Hoist The Flag Stakes at Hollywood Park last November.

Martin Pedroza is to ride Doyouseewhatisee, winner of the Chief’s Crown at Gulfstream Park and the De Anza at Del Mar last year.

Old Line Policy, a gelded son of Reb’s Policy, comes in from Arizona’s Turf Paradise, where his only setback in nine races was by a head in the Futurity Trial. Old Line Policy, due to be handled by regular rider Carl Kutz, won the Futurity and Arizona Breeders’ Futurity among other stakes in Arizona.

“This race will give us a good idea as to just what kind he is,” said trainer Bart Hone.

The complete field for the Debonair in post position order: Kept His Cool (Alex Solis), 114; Akrokerami (Kent Desormeaux), 114; Profit Key (Stevens), 117; Doyouseewhatisee (Martin Pedroza), 122; Master Lypheor (Pat Valenzuela), 114; Old Line Policy (Carl Kutz), 122; Jacondra (Chris McCarron), 114, El Toreo (Corey Black), 114.

Hollywood Park’s beautification program includes more than 10,000 newly planted flowers--including more than 4,000 rose bushes of varied hues--that have burst into bloom as a complement to the fresh paint on the racing facility and renovated entryway at the 340-acre complex.

New rose gardens and brickwork surround the main building, entryway, outside gates and ticket stands.

Continuing renovation of Hollywood Park’s garden area includes moving the Arcade to a place alongside an expanded and modernized children’s playground near the grandstand’s main entrances.

A new testing and receiving barn has been erected in the track’s stable area. The structure will include offices for California Horse Racing Board personnel to facilitate the testing and detention of horses.

The Cary Grant Pavilion has been refurbished throughout in preparation for the meet, which is to be highlighted by the $1-million Hollywood Gold Cup on June 24.