Distaff Meetings Scheduled

Five of the eight races today at Hollywood Park are for fillies and mares as the meet heads into its final nine days leading up to the circuit’s much-needed break before Santa Anita begins its marathon winter-spring season Dec. 26.

The day begins with Western Dawn, a 6-year-old Western Trick mare, stepping up two levels in search of her third consecutive win. Claimed for $10,000 by trainer Juan Pablo Silva a week ago, Western Dawn will be seeking her 11th lifetime win. Her five opponents have combined for nine victories.

In the second, fillies and mares will get together inthe staple of weekday cards in Southern California--maiden claimers.

Perfect Lure should improve on her debut for Ted West, a race in which she was third behind favored My Mama Dear. An interesting first-time starter is Booneville Dawn, who is out of a productive mare. And there’s the anticipated return of My Whole Enchilada, who will try for the 36th time to win a race.

The fifth is another maiden claimer. Nice Fish is the 6-5 morning-line choice and she should graduate in her fifth start for trainer Jason Mamakos against a soft field.

A race later, females will get together in a starter allowance sprint at 61/2 furlongs and it appears to be a contentious race. The main contenders include End Tune, Fin Lady, Destiny Calling, I Saw You First and Such Gold.

The seventh is the final race for fillies and mares and it is the only turf race on the card because the fifth was moved to the main track. Scented Garden, second to Fall Habit in her California debut for Eduardo Inda, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. The race also marks the U.S. debut of La Picara, a Group III winner in Chile. She won two of four in South America and is now in the barn of Neil Drysdale.

Race of the day: Crescendo benefited most when the fourth race was moved from the turf to the dirt. The In Excess colt may be too quick for his rivals and he will appreciate shortening up to 51/2 furlongs for owner Mike Pegram and trainer Bob Baffert.

Who’s hot: Yulla Yulla. The 6-year-old Look See mare has won nine in a row in New Mexico and has won 20 of 24 in her career. Her only off-the-board finish came when she was fifth on Oct. 18, 1998 at Albuquerque.

Who’s not: The field in today’s fourth at Aqueduct. The 11 New York-breds have combined to go 0 for 70.

Exotically speaking: A pick four singling Nice Fish in the fifth, using End Tune, I Saw You First, Fin Lady and Destiny Calling in the sixth, Scented Garden, La Picara and Impeachable in the seventh and Gottalovefaith, Dancing Banner and Fatality in the eighth.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 2/48. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $9/$257.80. Total money bet: $378.