Sadler Ahead of Pace

Less than three weeks into Hollywood Park’s spring-summer meet, trainer John Sadler is nearly halfway to matching his win total at the corresponding season here in 2001.

When Palmeiro, who is now a gelding, posted a rare victory in Wednesday’s seventh, it gave Sadler five victories from his first 13 starters, opposed to 12 wins from 88 starters for the meet last year.

After missing with his only runner Thursday, Sadler will try to improve upon his winning percentage when Hollywood Park returns to its normal Friday 7 p.m. post when he sends out Standard Choice in the first and Sombrio in the second.

A gelded son of Chimes Band, Standard Choice will be making his first start for the stable and does not have the healthiest of patterns. Claimed for $40,000 out of a disappointing third as the favorite March 31 at Santa Anita, Standard Choice returns against $25,000 maidens tonight and he will be trying a distance of ground for the first time.

Owned by Clifford Pierce, the California-bred will break from the rail in the 11/16-mile race and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.

Espinoza also has the mount on Sombrio, who will be making his turf debut in the second when he takes on five other 3-year-olds in a $62,500 claimer at 51/2 furlongs. The gelding has a win and a second in two starts and will be running for the first time since Jan. 24.

He will break from the outside and is obviously proven fresh.

He broke his maiden at first asking on New Year’s Eve, winning by 11/2 lengths at nearly 20-1.

Race of the day: Tradition Rocks, a fast-working son of 1997 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Spinning World, will make his debut for trainer Bob Baffert and owners Pam and Marty Wygod in tonight’s sixth at Hollywood Park.

Who’s hot: Paul Aguirre. The trainer had two winners on Wednesday with Morning Wine and longshot firster Let’s Face It.

Who’s not: Antonio Castanon and Jim Burns. The two riders began the new week at Bay Meadows a combined one for 63.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Crowning Point and Pool Music in the fifth, Tradition Rocks, Brief Message and Jive At Five in the sixth, singling Top Honours in the seventh and using Mon Petite, Craven Cottage and Lilac Storm in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/30. Money: Previous day/meet total: $26.20/$163.60. Total money bet: $206.