Prospering, if Not Winning
Bettors who love place and show wagers will have two of their favorite horses running tonight, one of two Friday night cards during Hollywood Park’s autumn meet.
Mayor Murphy, a 3-year-old Storm Creek gelding owned by David and Holly Wilson and trained by Vladimir Cerin, has yet to win as he makes his 15th start in the fifth, a $43,000 maiden event at one mile on the turf.
However, the Mayor has been popular with the place and show crowd, having finished second or third seven times. He will be ridden by Tyler Baze for the first time and is the 4-1 second choice on Russ Hudak’s morning line.
Two races later, El Curioso, a $46,000 optional claimer, will try for his fourth lifetime win in his 39th start at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.
Owned by Red Baron’s Barn and trained by Darrell Vienna, the 5-year-old El Gran Senor gelding is 0 for 23 since the beginning of 2001, but has been second or third 15 times.
Winless in nine races on the Hollywood Park turf, El Curioso, 4-1 on the line, has been the runner-up four times and third three times.
Race of the day: Roxelana and Freefourracing, who are a combined 10 for 20, will get together in theninth at Churchill Downs. The $58,200 optional claimer is at 6 1/2 furlongs.
Who’s hot: Jockey Jean-Luc Samyn, who has six wins in 17 mounts at Aqueduct.
Who’s not: Jockey Robby Albarado, who has three wins in 47 mounts at Churchill Downs.
Exotically speaking: A pick three using Farah Love and Milagra in the fourth, singling Value Play in the fifth and using Majesterical, Wheaton One and Restless Warrior in the sixth.
Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/4. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.80/$18.40. Total money bet: $32.