Day Reserved for ‘Royalty?

Something about Hollywood Park brings out the best in Bettor Royalty.

A loser in 21 of 23 starts away from Inglewood, the 5-year-old gelded son of Slew’s Royalty has won four of 14 locally and has made the board on six other occasions.

Less than a month after finishing last in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields, Bettor Royalty will try for another Hollywood Park success when he meets seven other older $40,000 claimers in the fifth at six furlongs.

Owned by Cecil Peacock and trained by Dan Hendricks, who claimed the California-bred for $40,000 on March 9 at Santa Anita, Bettor Royalty will break from the rail under Martin Pedroza. He won from the inside post at this track under Pedroza last Dec. 12.

The speed of the lineup is Crescendo, who will be making his first start after a lengthy layoff for owner Mike Pegram and trainer Bob Baffert.

Unraced since a 4 1/2-length win at Hollywood Park on Dec. 7, 2001, the 5-year-old son of In Excess has been first, second or third in six of seven starts and has run well with the benefit of racing before. He broke his maiden at first asking on March 10, 2001 at Santa Anita.

Race of the day: Lilac Queen, who is perfect in two U.S. starts for trainer Bobby Frankel, will try for her first graded stakes victory in the $100,000 Bewitch at Keeneland. The 1 1/2-mile turf race is a Grade III and Jerry Bailey will ride Lilac Queen, owned by Gary Tanaka.

One for the road: Music’s Storm ships to Keeneland and make his debut for trainer Todd Pletcher in the sixth, a $65,000 allowance at one mile on the turf. The 4-year-old Storm Creek colt has the rail, jockey Pat Day and has won twice at the distance.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Altruistic and Dancewithmewesley in the sixth, Cunning Play and Fair Bianca in the seventh and singling Astra’s Sister in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/5. Money: Previous day/meet total: $35.40/$35.40. Total money bet: $16.