Seventh Is a Speed Duel

Neither Tribal Rule nor Timely Action has won a stakes race, but it seems only a matter of time for each.

The talented sprinters will collide today at Hollywood Park in the day’s seventh race, a $51,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

Tribal Rule, a 6-year-old son of Storm Cat owned and bred by Marty and Pam Wygod and trained by Julio Canani, will be making only his fourth start today.

Second in his only race as a 4-year-old, Tribal Rule was perfect in two dominant performances at Del Mar last summer, beating maidens by eight lengths in 1:08 4/5, then winning an allowance by five lengths in 1:09 flat.

A leg injury sent him to the sidelines, but he has trained as if he’ll pick up where he left off. Three of his last four drills have been best-of-the-morning workouts, one a 59 flat five-eighths of a mile a week ago. If all goes well, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint is the ultimate goal for Tribal Rule.

Timely Action, beaten four times at odds of 5-1, 13-10, 7-2 and 5-1 as a 2-year-old, has returned as a more relaxed, professional thoroughbred this year for owner-breeder Herman Sarkowsky.

He beat maidens by five lengths on May 18, then was even more impressive in his first race against winners, winning by four lengths in 1:22 1/5 for the seven furlongs.

Race of the day: The fifth is a one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies and features the improving Casual Queen and likely favorite Fair Bianca, who figures to move up on the grass for trainer Paco Gonzalez.

Who’s hot: Alex Solis. At 25%, the jockey has the highest winning percentage of any rider in Hollywood Park’s top 10.

Who’s not: Frank Kirby. The trainer has lost with 39 of 41 starters at Arlington Park.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Paint Me Quick and Segovia in the first, Sequoian and World Light in the second, singling La Bella Reina in the third and Sainte Maxime in the fourth, using Casual Queen and Fair Bianca in the fifth, singling Pam In The Gym in the sixth and Tribal Rule in the seventh and using Monroe Doctrine and Golden Hours in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/144. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.20/$826. Total money bet: $928.