Scratches Slim Down Fields

Only 58 horses are scheduled to run this afternoon at Hollywood Park, continuing a trend of short fields on weekday programs.

Of course, there is no guarantee that many actually will run. An amazing 10 horses were scratched Wednesday, meaning five of the eight races had six or fewer participants.

What today’s card lacks in quantity it does not make up for in quality. Lotta Pay is the 5-2 favorite in the first race, an $8,000 claimer for older fillies and mares, and she has managed one win in 35 starts.

In the second race, Truly A Judge is the 7-5 favorite, based on back-to-back victories, including a 31/2-length local win Nov. 15. However, she hails from a barn that has only won four races all year.

The third race only has six entrants, but the 11/16-mile turf race features five fillies who have won at least once over the course. Stetson Lady, the 5-2 morning line favorite, has won three of 10 on the Hollywood Park lawn and Up At The Top, who is 5-1, has won three of six. The only entrant without a local turf win is Navarro Rose. Now the question is whether or not the race will actually be run on the grass. There was no turf racing at Hollywood Park on Wednesday.

At the Fair Grounds, Commitisize, a stakes winner once trained by Bob Baffert, will make his second start for trainer Steve Asmussen in today’s ninth race, a 51/2-furlong dash on the grass.

The 6-year-old, who has banked $783,687 while winning 10 of 32, will be ridden by Donnie Meche as he seeks his seventh victory on the grass.

Race of the day: The best betting race is the seventh, a 51/2-furlong sprint on the turf for 3-year-old fillies running for a $62,500 claiming price. Contention runs deep in the race--provided, of course, it remains on the lawn--although the winner is likely to come from off the pace. Gimme The Willys, a 6-1 shot, is the only participant who owns a win over the layout at the distance.

Who’s hot: Dean Pederson. The trainer has won with five of his first 12 starters at Golden Gate Fields.

Who’s not: The field in today’s sixth at Golden Gate Fields. The 13 original entrants are a combined 0 for 110.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Hemet Thought in the second, all in the third and Castlebright, Sheza Jazzy Slew and Missionairess in the fourth.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 2/46. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $9.80/$248.80. Total money bet: $362.