Mr. Doubledown a Hit on Turf

Mr. Doubledown is a .500 hitter on the main track wherever he has run, having won 11 of 22 for owners Cindy Olsen and Jack Retzloff and trainer Jeff Bonde.

After Friday’s $200,000 Hollywood Turf Express at Hollywood Park, the 5-year-old gelding is batting 1.000 on turf.

Making his first start on turf, Mr. Doubledown, a 13-1 shot, led virtually every step of the way under jockey Victor Espinoza and beat favored Howbaddouwantit by half a length in 1:01 4/5 for the 5 1/2 furlongs.

The victory was Mr. Doubledown’s second of the year, and first since he won the Ernest Finley Handicap at Santa Rosa on July 31.

“He’s bred to run on grass, so we thought he would run well today,” said Tommy Nelson, Bonde’s assistant. “I know Jeff was looking forward to this race because this horse has been training exceptionally well. He broke a tad slow, but he got into high gear and that was pretty much the race.”

Howbaddouwantit, the 3-2 choice, finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Champ’s Star, who lacked room while trying to rally in the stretch. Then came Desert Lady, Thatsusintheolbean, Accomplice, Cuvee Brut and Peach Flat.

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For the second consecutive year, trainer Linda Rice had a winner on the first day of Hollywood Park’s $2.15-million Turf Festival.

Twelve months after the Rice-trained Soldier Field won the Hollywood Turf Express, Prairie Princess made a successful California debut for her, winning the $200,000 Miesque Stakes by three-quarters of a length over She’s Classy.

Prairie Princess, after breaking her maiden at Belmont Park, won on turf at Aqueduct.

Never far off the dawdling pace set by She’s Classy, Prairie Princess--owned by Rice’s father Clyde--took over going into the stretch under Alex Solis and completed the mile in 1:37 1/5.

She’s Classy saved second by a nose over Mary Kies, the 2-1 favorite. Hastenby, Desert Sky and Starring Me completed the order of finish.

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Jockey Gary Stevens, who took off his final four mounts on Thursday, was absent again and will have minor surgery next week to remove a cyst on his right knee, according to his agent, Ron Anderson.

Steward Tom Ward said Anderson called, asking that Stevens be taken off his Friday mounts, but that the Hall of Famer was hoping to ride today and Sunday. Stevens is supposed to be aboard likely choice Crafty Friend in the $350,000 Cigar Mile today at Aqueduct and is scheduled to ride probable favorite Mula Gula in the $500,000 Early Times Hollywood Derby and strong contender Sapphire Ring in the $500,000 Matriarch.

Stevens, who has a history of knee problems, could be sidelined as long as six weeks.

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Laffit Pincay Jr. rode one winner Friday--odds-on favorite Boy Chick in the first race--to leave him 10 victories short of Bill Shoemaker’s record 8,833.

Pincay has seven scheduled mounts today.

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Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Artax, who was scheduled to start in today’s Cigar Mile, has been retired after suffering a ligament injury in his left foreleg.

The 4-year-old finished his career with a flourish, winning the Vosburgh and Forest Hills handicaps before his victory in the Sprint at Gulfstream Park three weeks ago.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

COUNTDOWN TO 8,833 / RIDING TO THE RECORD

Charting Laffit Pincay Jr. as he closes in on Bill Shoemaker’s record for victories by a jockey:

Friday at Hollywood Park

Mounts: 4

Victories: 1

Overall: 8,823

Wins needed for tie: 10