O’Neill Seeks Fast Start

When it came to winning, the most successful trainers at Hollywood Park in 2002 were Bobby Frankel and Doug O’Neill.

Frankel was the leading trainer at the spring-summer meet with 23 victories and O’Neill was tops in the fall season, winning 16 races. All told, each trainer won 34 races in Inglewood last year.

Frankel is scheduled to run two horses on today’s opening card, but O’Neill has runners in five of the eight races.

In the first, O’Neill is scheduled to send out first time starter Mei Sing Star, then he has Half Moon in the fourth, Indigo Myth in the fifth, Blue Seti in the sixth and Noble Silence in the seventh.

A 3-year-old son of Souvenir Copy, Mei Sing Star has trained well enough to be a factor against $50,000 maidens in the opener.

Idle since last July 26, Half Moon should be competitive as she returns to the level where she was claimed -- $25,000 -- whereas Indigo Myth will be a longshot in the fifth, his first race since Jan. 4.

Blue Seti posted his lone win at Hollywood Park, so he could perk up with the change in scenery. Noble Silence is catching a lot of other speed in his first race since he finished last in the I’m Smokin Stakes on Sept. 9 at Del Mar.

Race of the day: The third is the first leg of the pick six and the first race of 2003 locally around a turn for 2-year-olds. The 4 1/2-furlong race for Cal-breds drew a field of nine.

One for the road: Un Fino Vino won big on April 10 and now gets a confident three-level boost in class after being claimed for $20,000 by high percentage trainer Scott Lake. The 6-year-old gelding could be a pick six and pick four single in the sixth at Aqueduct, which has a pick six carry-over of $52,860.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Nates Colony in the fifth, using Mr. J.D., Historic Moment, Blue Seti, Libor and Mr. Roadway in the sixth and King Robyn and Make My Day Jur in the seventh.

Winners (Final for Santa Anita): Previous day/meet total: 3/247. Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.80/$1,387.60. Total money bet: $1,466.