Trujillo Is Thriving in Illinois

Apprentice jockey Elvis Trujillo has not taken long to make his presence felt in Illinois.

Trujillo ranks second in the jockey standings with 36 victories, four fewer than defending champion Rene Douglas.

With Churchill Downs closed until the fall, local fans are getting more races from Arlington Park to wager on these days, and, in fact, the entire nine-race card is being offered today.

Trujillo, who showed some promise during his time in California, has mounts in four races and his best chance for a winner looks to be with Halo Of Hearts in the fourth.

A 3-year-old son of Sunny’s Halo owned by James and Sue Burns and trained by Sam David Jr., Halo Of Hearts has won two in a row.

The latest victory came under Trujillo on June 15 when the Texas-bred won by nearly five lengths as the 2-1 favorite.

Trujillo’s other mounts are longshot Ozilias Class in the second, Tonyspal Craig in the seventh and Fusto in the ninth.

Race of the day: Hot Market will try for his third win in his last four starts when he takes on four others in the third at Hollywood Park. The 7 1/2-furlong race is the first leg of a pick six that has a carry-over of $97,217.

Who’s hot: Dave Hofmans. Twenty-three of the trainer’s first 43 starters at Hollywood Park have finished first or second.

Who’s not: Hansbury. The 4-year-old Pleasant Tap gelding is 0 for 22 entering today’s eighth at Solano.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the first keying Orange’em on top of Private Aviator, Red Vintage and Warn Me Again in the two hole with all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/147. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11.20/$837.20. Total money bet: $964.