HOLLYWOOD PARK : Stunned Bettors Say Who He? But Four Hit Pick Six

When Who He won the fourth race Wednesday and paid $43.60, it appeared Hollywood Park might be on its way to a third consecutive carry-over in the Pick Six.

Although there were a couple of other upsets--Slew City Sims ($11.60) in the seventh and Another Great One ($17.20) in the ninth--the rest of the day was formful and four tickets had six winners.

Chasing a carry-over that had grown to $441,646.53 after no one had picked six on Sunday or Monday, $1,410,960 was bet Wednesday and each winning ticket was worth $307,501.40.

Favorites won two of the races--2-1 shot Greers Ferry and odds-on choice California Candi in the sixth--and the 9-5 second choice Gastown easily won the eighth.

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Jockey Pat Valenzuela, who hasn’t ridden since May 21, is scheduled to meet with Hollywood Park stewards Pete Pedersen, George Slender and Tom Ward this morning.

Valenzuela, who has 11 victories from 68 mounts, told the stewards he would meet with them Wednesday or Thursday morning but did not show on Wednesday.

“He was supposed to come [Wednesday or Thursday] so we assume he’ll be in [Thursday],” Slender said. “He’s been having problems at home.”

After Valenzuela talks to the stewards, it will be determined when he will be allowed to start riding again.

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The stewards met briefly with trainer Sam Aldabbagh on Wednesday, after Aldabbagh had complained about jockey Sal Gonzalez Jr.’s ride aboard Cocooning in Monday’s $500,000 Hollywood Turf Handicap. Cocooning, a $10,000 claim by Aldabbagh last summer, finished last in the Grade I, 41 lengths behind 24-1 upset winner Earl Of Barking.

“[Aldabbagh] was upset because he felt [Gonzalez] hadn’t followed his instructions,” Slender said.

Aldabbagh is said to have been upset that Gonzalez eased Cocooning so early in the race and there were implications that it had something to do with the jockey’s being the nephew of trainer Paco Gonzalez, who had fourth-place finisher Del Mar Dennis in the race. Cocooning set the pace for six furlongs, but backed up quickly in the final half mile.

Slender said the stewards will talk to Sal Gonzalez, probably today.

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Funeral services will be held at 10:30 Friday morning at Ft. Rosecrans Military Cemetery in San Diego for longtime trainer Larry Rose, who died Sunday at 85.

Rose, who was born in Flanagan, Ill., took out his first trainer’s license in Texas in 1934, then came to California after serving in World War II. He worked as a groom for several California trainers, including the late Buster Millerick, then resumed training in 1950.

In the latter stages of his career, he trained Beau’s Eagle for owner Harold Applebaum’s Relatively Stable. Beau’s Eagle, who became a successful sire in California, won the 1979 Cinema Handicap and the 1980 Los Angeles Handicap among other stakes victories. Rose also trained Stardust Mel and that horse went on to win the 1975 Santa Anita Handicap for trainer Charlie Whittingham and owner Marje Everett.

Rose, who is survived by his wife, June, also worked as a jockey’s agent.

Horse Racing Notes

Those expecting a field of 10 for Friday night’s $75,000 Bo Derek Stakes were left disappointed. Seven horses will run in the grass race at 10 furlongs. The race drew Lord Shirldor, Liyoun, Sans Ecocide, Alex The Great, Zouc Machine, Seahawk Gold and Hyderabad. . . . A field of nine is likely for Saturday’s $100,000 Cinema Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The probable favorite is Will Rogers winner Via Lombardia. Others scheduled to run are Bee El Tee, Bryntirion, Fine N’Majestic, Hidden Source, In Character, Longliner, On Target and Oncefortheroad. . . . Chris Antley, Gary Stevens and Laffit Pincay all won twice Wednesday.