Euchre Steps Down in Class

For the first time in well over two years, Euchre will be running in something other than a graded stakes today at Hollywood Park.

A winner of six of 24 starts who has earned more than $888,000, the 6-year-old Personal Flag gelding drops in class to take on four other older horses in the second race, a $58,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

Owned by Frank Stronach and trained by Bobby Frankel, Euchre has consistently come up short in stakes at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita, Del Mar and Prairie Meadows since earning his last win July 7, 2001, in the Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows.

The Canadian-bred has lost eight in a row since but could wake up over a track where he has won three of five. Alex Solis will ride Euchre, who has been first or second in eight of nine races at 1 1/16 miles.

Three of his opponents are coming off wins and the other was second by a neck in his most recent outing.

Race of the day: Spend Spend Spend will try for his second win of the Hollywood Park meet for trainer Jim Cassidy against six other California breds in the seventh. Big Team Spirit is the 5-2 morning-line choice in the six-furlong dash.

Who’s hot: Laffit Pincay Jr. The world’s winningest rider has won six races the last two days at Hollywood Park to move to the top of the jockey standings. He has 9,463 victories in his career.

Who’s not: Thomas Stewart. The Northern California-based trainer is three for 56 in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Wuzzup Dunc in the third, using Real Paranoide, Complete Approval, River Bridge and A Lil Excess in the fourth and Vowel Play, The Buggy Whip and Suave Meteorite in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/25. Money: Previous day/meet total: $28.20/$133.40. Total money bet: $198.