Exotic Wood Takes Turns for the Bettor

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.

Horse Racing Notes

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. Chris McCarron will be aboard the 6-year-old Brazilian bred.. . . . 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.