Stoney Drives for Five in Row

The hottest horse entering the 13th California Cup is Stoney, a 4-year-old Bold Badgett gelding owned by Cyndi and Stephen Weeks and trained by Rafael Becerra.

Stoney enters the $50,000 Starter Sprint Handicap on a four-race win streak. He hasn’t lost since being claimed by his current connections for $20,000 on May 31 at Hollywood Park.

Having shown he can win with or without the early lead, Stoney is the 6-5 favorite in the six-furlong race and looks like the most probable winner on the 10-race card.

Those looking to single him in the $1 million guaranteed pick six are out of luck, however. Stoney is running in the fourth race and the pick six, which has a two-day carry-over of $359,906, doesn’t begin until the fifth.

The other nine races are: the $50,000 Starter Handicap, 1 1/2 miles on turf; (the $150,000 Matron at 1 1/16 miles; the $125,000 Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles; the $100,000 Distance Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on turf; the $150,000 Sprint at six furlongs; the $150,000 Distaff at about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf; the $250,000 Classic at 1 1/8 miles; the $175,000 Mile on turf; and the $125,000 Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles.

Race of the day: The $175,000 Mile, where it’s difficult to throw out many of the 14 entrants.

Who’s hot: Bay Meadows jockeys Russell Baze and Jason Lumpkins, who, through Thursday, had combined for 173 victories.

Who’s not: Trainer Tom Stewart, whose 52 starters have three victories this year.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Stoney in the fourth, using Nicole’s Pursuit, Calzada Kid and Exclusiveandcatty in the fifth and singling Stormy Jack in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/68. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11/$384. Total money bet: $422.