Ile De France Settling Into Role of Favorite

Even though she really has never won a race, Ile De France probably will be favored in what serves as Hollywood Park’s feature this afternoon.

A gray daughter of Storm Cat out of the stakes-winning mare Cara Rafaela, Ile De France isn’t a maiden, but she scored her only “victory” after a disqualification June 10, 2001.

Making her debut for owner-breeder Stud TNT and trainer Richard Mandella, Ile De France was second under the wire, three lengths behind longshot Bully’s Del Mar. However, Bully’s Del Mar was disqualified for interference and placed last after the stewards ruled she’d caused Gold Scammer, the 2-5 favorite, to fall.

Since then, Ile De France has managed two seconds and a third in six starts while tackling some of the top runners in her class. One of her runner-up tries was a head loss to Farda Amiga, the probable 3-year-old filly champion, in an optional claimer on the Santa Anita turf Feb. 9.

Making her first appearance in Inglewood since finishing sixth in the Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks this summer, Ile De France will break from the outside in the field of seven and be ridden by Alex Solis. Other contenders include Smart Lacy, Golden Band and Premiere Event.

Race of the day: A well matched group of eight older claimers will get together at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in Hollywood Park’s third, the first leg of the pick six.

Who’s hot: A.C. Avila. The trainer has won with six of his first 16 starters at Hollywood Park. He won a race on Wednesday with 2-1 favorite Fatal Caper in the eighth and with 7-2 Passionate Caper in Thursday’s second. Both horses were sired by Town Caper.

Who’s not: Omar Camejo. The jockey has won with three of his first 76 mounts at Calder.

Exotically speaking: A pick four singling Himalayan in the fifth, using Rainbow Acorn and Adina Duca in the sixth, Ile De France and Smart Lacy in the seventh and Brigade, Valiant Vision, Thisone’sforernie and Bully’s North in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/53. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/301.20. Total money bet: $374.