Strive Could Have the Drive

There is precedent for Strive to win his debut in today’s fifth race at Hollywood Park.

The 2-year-old Deputy Minister colt out of the mare Symbolically is a half-brother to Echo Of Yesterday, Caribbean Pirate and Sweet Life. All three of those horses were successful in their first start.

Owned and bred by Marty and Pam Wygod and trained by Bob Baffert, Strive has trained as if he has some talent and, if he wins today, he very well may be something special. He is being asked to win around two turns (11/16 miles) and that is no easy feat.

Prepping for his initial race, Strive shows a series of solid drills and he will debut on Lasix. On a work tab that dates to Sept. 11 at San Luis Rey Downs, Strive has worked in 1:12 from the gate, 59 flat, 59 4/5, 59 3/5 and 1:39 1/5 in addition to seven other drills. Eddie Delahoussaye will ride.

Baffert also will send out Liberty Run, a $550,000 yearling purchase who finished third, beaten by a length, in his sprint debut Nov. 25. The son of Capote, who is owned by Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable, drew the rail and is probably the 2-year-old to catch.

The best of the horses with two-turn experience is Diamond Hope. A gelded son of Roar, he finished second, beaten by a half-length by Danthebluegrassman, another Baffert runner, at the distance Nov. 11. He was eight lengths clear of the third-place finisher that day. He is trained by Richard Mandella and will be ridden by Mike Smith.

Race of the day: The sixth, a 51/2-furlong sprint on the turf, is the best betting race of the afternoon. The race for $40,000 claimers attracted a full field of 10 and contention goes deep. There are few throw-outs.

Who’s hot: Lebontempsroulet. The gray gelding has won two in a row for trainer and co-owner Jose DeLima and could make it three in today’s seventh race at Hollywood Park.

Who’s not: Magical Colony, Snow Fairy, Cape Colony and Rue Di Espoir. The four fillies make up most of the field in today’s second in Inglewood and are a combined 0 for 16. None of them has ever finished closer than fifth.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Liberty Run, Strive and Diamond Hope in the fifth, Woking, Three Amigos and Mr. Wonderful in the sixth, singling Lebontempsroulet in the seventh and T’s Cafe, Guns A Blazen and Shingen Deputy in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/58. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$312. Total money bet: $448.