HOLLYWOOD PARK : Relaxed ‘Wizard a Winner

Silver Wizard has a history of running well fresh and he didn’t disappoint in the $159,400 American Handicap on Tuesday at Hollywood Park.

Making his first start since finishing sixth as the 6-5 favorite in the San Luis Obispo Handicap on Feb. 20, the 9-2 fourth choice in the field of five tracked the pacesetting Romarin most of the way, then took charge late to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:46 for the 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Besides being effective after a vacation, Silver Wizard also has an affinity for the Hollywood Park turf course. The victory Tuesday was his fourth in five tries. His only loss came when he was sixth in the 1994 American.

A bit weary after flying back from Illinois where his Via Lombardia had finished second in the Arlington Classic on Monday, trainer Neil Drysdale said Silver Wizard came out of the San Luis Obispo worse for wear.

“He was quite stiff, so we just had to give him some time off until he got back in form again,” Drysdale said. “He’s run some of his best races off layoffs and that was one of the reasons we ran today.

“The way he’s run [at Hollywood Park], maybe we should go on racing here and not go to Del Mar [which begins July 26].”

Gary Stevens was aboard the 5-year-old Silver Hawk horse for the first time and he had watched some tapes of his races before the American. Although Silver Wizard had led every step of the way in one his victories, he seems better with a target to run at and he had one Tuesday in Romarin.

“I could see [in the tapes] that Silver Wizard could be a little difficult to ride,” Stevens said. “Neil told me he runs his best races after a layoff, so he was expecting him to run a big race.

“The race unfolded just as it had looked on paper. I was hoping [21-1 shot] Cocooning would pressure Romarin a little more than he did, but the way it turned out, it didn’t matter. My horse put me in a good spot. When I asked him, he responded the way he was supposed to.”

Returning to California and the turf after getting chewed up by You And I in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, Romarin, the 9-5 second choice, finished a half-length in front of 7-5 favorite Savinio. Eagle Eyed was fourth and Cocooning last. Red Earth and Johann Quatz were scratched earlier in the day.

A handful to saddle in the paddock, Savinio didn’t have any trouble--unlike the Hollywood Turf Handicap--but didn’t have enough of a late kick.

“The trip was fine, but he just didn’t feel like he fired the same as he did last time,” Chris McCarron said.

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Eduardo Inda, Ron McAnally’s chief assistant for about 24 years before taking over as Marshall Naify’s trainer, collected his first victory with his third starter since the switch.

Borodislew, owned by Naify’s 505 Farms, slipped through along the rail entering the stretch and went on to beat 7-10 favorite Angi Go by 1 1/2 lengths in the $75,500 Terlingua on Monday at Hollywood Park.

More effective from off the pace, the 5-1 third choice in the field of five fillies and mares, sat just off the pace set by Angi Go and Airistar, then McCarron found room and she went on to win in 1:14 2/5 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

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Wekiva Springs, who won the San Fernando Stakes in January, but who has raced only twice since, will soon be sent to trainer Bill Mott in New York.

The 4-year-old Runaway Groom colt has been jogging at owner Don Dizney’s farm in Florida preparing for his comeback. The target for Wekiva Springs is the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Oct. 28 at Belmont Park. Bob Hess Jr. was his local trainer.

Horse Racing Notes

After a dark day today, racing will resume Thursday at Hollywood Park. Fans will be able to bet on the races from Pleasanton today starting at 12:45 p.m. in the casino. Admission and programs will be free. . . . You And I, who won the Brooklyn Handicap after the Metropolitan victory, will run next in California. Trainer Bobby Frankel says he’ll go in the Bel Air Handicap on July 16 or the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 29. . . . Hollywood Park will have a one-hour live telecast on Channel 9 the final two Sundays of the meeting--July 16 and 23. The feature race and two other races will be shown on each program. . . . Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens, Kent Desormeaux and Laffit Pincay all won two races on Tuesday.