Larger Fields Tonight

The first of two Friday night programs at Hollywood Park has an abundance of something the first couple of days lacked.

Specifically, horses. While only about 100 horses ran Wednesday and Thursday, 85 were entered for this evening, meaning each race averages over nine entrants.

Three of the runners are trained by Richard Matlow, who doesn’t start many horses, but who wins at a high percentage.

All three are contenders, starting with Baldwin County in the first. A 3-year-old son of Prized, he was fifth of seven at 4-1 last month at Santa Anita, but goes from the inside post to the outside and returns to the track where he trains and where he broke his maiden as a 2-year-old.

Baldwin County, who finished second to Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Squirtle Squirt in his debut May 5, 2000, at Inglewood, has turned in two bullet workouts since running Oct. 8.

In the second, the trainer will be represented by Timely Oak, who is among nine maidens running six furlongs while racing for a $32,000 claiming price.

A gelded son of Fort Chaffee, Timely Oak is a threat to lead all the way, but he must break from the rail for the third time in four career starts.

Matlow’s other entrant is A Real Knockout, a 3-year-old Two Punch filly who will leave from the outside post in the fourth, a 71/2-furlong starter allowance race for 3-year-old fillies.

In her only previous race at Hollywood Park, A Real Knockout broke her maiden by two lengths as the 17-10 favorite nearly a year ago.

Race of the day: The fifth and the seventh are sprints for cheap claimers, but both contests are wide open and the eighth is a contentious allowance race at 11/16 miles on the turf. Saucy Cat, Good Cop Bad Cop and Audmar head the field in the eighth.

Who’s hot: Natural Style. The 4-year-old Valiant Nature colt has won three in a row and four of seven. He will be making his first start in Southern California since finishing last in a field of 10 on Aug. 16, 2000, at Del Mar.

Who’s not: Chief Counselor. The 3-year-old gelding, who will break from the rail in tonight’s ninth, has finished ahead of six horses in his three races while beaten a combined 381/2 lengths.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Baldwin County in the first; using Musical Chairs, Timely Oak and Miramar Gold in the second; and Continental Issue, Missionairess and Iam The Ice Miss in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/3. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13.80/$13.80. Total money bet: $32.