Litt Has It Well Planned

When trainer Joshua Litt has started a horse in 2002, it has paid to pay attention.

Litt has had only 16 starters this year, but six have made their way to the winner’s circle.

Game Well Planned, a 3-year-old, Washington-bred gelding, has contributed two of those victories and he’ll try for a third in today’s fifth at Hollywood Park.

Claimed for $16,000 at Golden Gate Fields on March 6 by Litt for the J B K Stable, Game Well Planned stepped up three levels to win by two lengths at 16-1 on April 5 at Santa Anita.

Bumped up again by Litt on May 15, Game Well Planned made a successful turf debut, winning by a little more than a length at 14-1.

Seeking another victory against a similar field going 11/16 miles on the grass, the sophomore will be a much shorter price today in the first leg of the pick four. Iggy Puglisi, who rode him to his latest win, has the call again today.

Earlier in the day, Arlington Park will begin its lengthy 107-day meet, a season that will conclude when the track plays host to the Breeders’ Cup for the first time Oct. 26.

Jerry Hollendorfer, who led the standings at the Illinois track last year, is back with a string this year. Also returning is Rene Douglas, the top jockey a year ago with 134 winners.

The final three races on the Arlington card will be simulcast at Hollywood Park today. The seventh is a seven-furlong allowance for 3-year-olds, the eighth is a six-furlong allowance for 3-year-olds and up and the ninth is a mile turf race for 3- and 4-year-old maiden fillies.

Race of the day: Hot Market will try to go wire-to-wire against the comebacking Kela, San Bernardino Handicap runner-up Mysterious Cat, the late-running Prized Gem and Jimmy Z in Hollywood Park’s second, a $55,000 allowance at 11/16 miles.

Who’s hot: John Sadler. He has won with 10 of 39 starters, leaving him one up on Vladimir Cerin in the Hollywood Park trainer standings.

Who’s not: The trainers in today’s third race. The seven have combined to begin the Hollywood Park season three for 59.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Chalifoux, Baby Go Baby and X Slews Me in the first, singling Hot Market in the second and using Primacy, Our Sharon Stone, Alessandria and Suspicious Girl in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/82. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3.60/$463.20. Total money bet: $518.