Habibti Tries to End Skid

Without question, Habibti was one of the best 2-year-old fillies in the country in 2001.

The daughter of Tabasco Cat won three of her four races last year, capping her campaign with a head victory over You in a memorable Hollywood Starlet almost 11 months ago.

Things haven’t been quite the same in 2002 for Habibti. She is winless in four races and will try to end her losing streak in today’s $200,000 Churchill Downs Distaff Handicap at one mile.

Owned by the Thoroughbred Corp. and trained by Bob Baffert, Habibti will be making her second appearance at Churchill Downs. She was third behind Farda Amiga and Take Charge Lady in the Kentucky Oaks and, in her only race since then, was fifth at 3-5 in the Torrey Pines at Del Mar on Sept. 8. Robby Albarado has the call.

The main event at Hollywood Park is the $125,000 Matiara, an ungraded stakes for 3-year-old fillies. The race was moved from the turf to the dirt because of wet weather and one of the scratches was certain favorite Megahertz.

Race of the day: The fifth at Hollywood Park is a 5 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up and is the last leg of the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network pick three. The other two races are Calder’s 11th and Churchill Downs’ 10th.

Who’s hot: Favorites at Hollywood Park. The betting choice won all eight races at the Inglewood track on Thursday.

Who’s not: Greta Kuntzweiler and Dean Butler. The two jockeys began the Churchill Downs meet a combined two for 45.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Pocketfullofpesos, Sweet Rhapsody and Margeds Dream in the fourth, Our New Recruit and Jersey Rebel in the fifth and singling Royal Footage in the sixth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 3/4. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.80/$18.40. Total money bet: $32.