HOLLYWOOD PARK : Arcangues Heads Field for John Henry Handicap

There is one thing certain about Arcangues in the $159,300 John Henry Handicap today at Hollywood Park.

The 6-year-old Sagace horse won’t pay $269.20 as he did when he won his last start--the $3-million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6.

Hindered by a bad back and problems with his hoofs this winter, Arcangues is ready to go now and he will have only four opponents in the John Henry, which is run at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Originally scheduled to be retired after he shocked Bertrando and 11 others in the Classic in his first start on dirt, Arcangues was sent to trainer Richard Mandella for another year of racing.

The 8-5 morning-line favorite today, he will be ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye, but the main objectives for Arcangues is the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 2 and another shot at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“He’s trained back and forth (on dirt and grass),” Mandella said. “Our big goals are on the dirt . . . the Gold Cup and the Breeders’ Cup. Hopefully, he’ll be in good enough shape by then to do that.

“But we’re trying the turf again to try and get a race into him, and hopefully, it will be easier on his back. I think he’s prepared well. His work on Wednesday (five furlongs in 1:00 1/5) was just what we were looking for. We were just looking for an easy five.”

Earl Of Barking, who has won three of five starts on the Hollywood Park turf course, is the 5-2 second morning-line choice.