First Two Turns Are No Trouble for Exotic Wood

Making her first start around two turns, Exotic Wood had little trouble handling 1 1/16 miles Wednesday at Hollywood Park.

Against only four opponents, the 1-5 favorite got away with soft fractions.

In what amounted to a $30,250 workout, the 4-year-old Rahy filly, under Chris McCarron, won for the sixth time in seven starts, beating Another Legend by three lengths in 1:43 1/5.

Trainer Ron Ellis had considered today’s $200,000 Molly Pitcher Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Monmouth Park in New Jersey for her first venture around two turns, but decided to stay home. He didn’t like the fact owner Marty and Pam Wygod’s filly was given 120 pounds at Monmouth.

“She was going to be the starting high weight by three pounds, and for her first time around two turns, I didn’t think that was fair,” he said. “She relaxed very well [Wednesday]. She probably had a little bit left. The experience of this will do her a lot of good.”

Exotic Wood a could try an extra sixteenth of a mile and join stablemate Twice The Vice in the $250,000 Vanity Handicap on July 21.

*

Second to Fastness in the Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile in his most recent appearance, Romarin is the 9-5 favorite in the $100,000 American Handicap today at Hollywood Park.

Apparently home free when he had a 3 1/2-length lead with an eighth of a mile to run in the Shoemaker, Romarin proved no late match for Fastness, who ran his last quarter in about 22 1/5 seconds.

McCarron will again be aboard the 6-year-old Brazilian-bred, who has three wins and two seconds in six tries at the American distance of 1 1/8 miles.

The field for the Grade II turf event also includes Labeeb, Inner City, Savinio, Gold And Steel, Earl Of Barking, Kazabaiyn and Beau Jingles.

*

Afternoon Deelites is scheduled to be shipped to Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky., next week to begin his new career at stud.

The 4-year-old Private Terms colt was retired this week after a slight tear was discovered in his right front tendon. The problem surfaced over the weekend, forcing him to be scratched from Sunday’s Triple Bend Handicap, where he was the 6-5 favorite on the morning line.

“I have a barn full of good horses, but he was one of those ones you only see a few times in your lifetime,” said trainer Richard Mandella. “He was so naturally gifted.”

Afternoon Deelites, who was sidelined for more than seven months last year because of an injury to his left front tendon, finished his career with seven victories from 12 starts and earnings of $1,061,193. He was second to Honour And Glory in Belmont Park’s Metropolitan Handicap in his final start on May 27.