Super High Aims to Surprise

A year ago, Super High was the 4-5 favorite in the Cat’s Cradle Handicap, which will be run for the seventh time today at Hollywood Park.

Fresh off a decisive win in the California Cup Matron at Santa Anita, the daughter of High Brite finished fourth in the field of six, beaten seven lengths.

And matters have gotten worse for Super High.

Sent to the sidelines after the Cat’s Cradle, the California-bred returned at Del Mar on July 31 and finished sixth of seven. In three subsequent starts, she has been fourth, fifth and fifth.

Little wonder it will be considered a major surprise if she wins the 7 1/2-furlong race today against a field that includes Valentine Dancer, the 5-2 morning line choice, and Cee’s Valley Girl.

Cee’s Valley Girl will try to give the sire Cee’s Tizzy consecutive victories in the Cat’s Cradle. He sired last year’s winner, Cee’s Elegance.

Tucked Away, the 5-1 fourth choice, is the field’s lone two-time winner on the Hollywood Park main track, where she broke her maiden in the spring.

Race of the day: Expresso Bay, who has won five of his last six, will seek his fourth win in six starts on the Hollywood Park turf course against five rivals in today’s fourth, an $80,000 claimer at 1 1/8 miles. Martin Pedroza, who has been aboard for four of those recent victories, has the mount again today.

One for the road: Claimed for $16,000 on Aug. 9 at Del Mar, Producer gets a positive class hike as he shows up in a $30,000 claimer in today’s sixth at the Fair Grounds. The 5-year-old gray son of Rhythm gets jockey Corey Lanerie in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Charlotte Forever in the seventh, Valentine Dancer, Cee’s Valley Girl and Bold Roberta in the eighth, and Continental Wine, La Bella and Honest Grade in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 6/76. Money: Previous day/meet total: $49.40/$399.60. Total money bet: $410.