All Eyes Are on Riskaverse

Eastern shippers have had success in recent years in the $200,000 Miesque Stakes, the first race in Hollywood Park’s three-day Autumn Turf Festival beginning this afternoon.

In 1999, Prairie Princess came from New York for trainer Linda Rice to score under Alex Solis. Three years earlier, Ascutney rallied from last to win for trainer David Donk and, in 1994, Bill Mott sent Bail Out Becky west to beat Miss Union Avenue and Makin Whopee, among others, in the Grade III event.

Trainer Pat Kelly will try to continue the hot streak with Riskaverse in the 11th running of the race named for the brilliant turf performer who won the Breeders’ Cup Mile twice.

A 2-year-old daughter of Dynaformer, Riskaverse is perfect in two starts on the grass. On July 13 at Belmont Park, she broke her maiden by a little more than four lengths in her first start, covering six furlongs in 1:10 at 10-1 odds. Then, earlier this month, she scored a mild upset against the well-regarded Lujien Lujien to win the $86,000 Miss Grillo at Aqueduct.

Robbie Davis, who has been aboard the dark bay filly in all five of her races, is here to ride against a field that also includes Nunatall, a European import making her first start for Bobby Frankel, the Team Valor-owned entry of La Martina and Stylelistick and seven others.

Four races after the Miesque, sprinters will be in the spotlight in the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Express at 51/2 furlongs. In a field reduced to 10 with the Thursday morning scratch of Islander, Swept Overboard is the 9-5 morning line favorite. .

Race of the day: The sixth is a wide-open sprint for 2-year-old maiden fillies. Respectful and Pali Princess are best among the shown element and there are interesting first-time starters in Not Anothernatalie, French Seduction, Live Free Or Die and Win Win.

Who’s hot: Eddie Delahoussaye. He has been in the Miesque and Turf Express in past years. He leads with three victories in the Miesque and he has two wins in the Express.

Who’s not: Deeco B. A 30-1 shot in today’s second race at Hollywood Park, the 7-year-old Space Station mare has finished no better than sixth in her four starts and has been beaten a combined 733/4 lengths.

Exotically speaking: Doubles using Queenie Belle in the fourth to Riskaverse and Nunatall in the fifth.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total:2/22. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $14.40/$120.60. Total money bet: $202.