It Could Be Shaping Up as a Forgettable Friday

Quality is not part of the final Friday night card of Hollywood Park’s spring-summer meet.

Half of the eight races on the card are for maidens, including three $25,000 claimers.

The eighth is probably the worst of the worst. It is difficult to believe that one of the nine fillies scheduled to run 6 1/2 furlongs will actually win.

Kiala, a 4-year-old Grand Flotilla who has raced twice, is the even-money favorite for owner David Milch and trainer Julio Canani.

The fact she is such a short price tells just how empty the lineup is. She was second, beaten eight lengths in her bow, on June 28, 2001, then third, beaten the same eight lengths, when making her first start for Milch and Canani last month.

Bred in California, Kiala, Ruby Choise and Seasons Promise are the only members of the cast to have finished on the board. Ruby Choise was second in her debut at Fairplex Park last Sept. 16 while Seasons Promise was third going 7 1/2 furlongs on June 29 at Hollywood Park. That performance was preceded by four off-the-board finishes.

The only non-claimer for maidens is the second, a $51,000 affair for Cal-breds at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. The seven entrants are winless in 26, topped by the 0-for-10 Excellentcharacter.

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Race of the day: Arctic Drift, one of the many winners for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin at Belmont Park, will try for a repeat in today’s eighth, a $45,000 allowance at seven furlongs. Richard Migliore will ride the 3-year-old Gone West filly, who broke her maiden by nearly three lengths in her return to this country on June 15.

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One for the road: Nolimosforyou drops to a better level for trainer Leah Gyarmati in today’s fourth at Belmont Park. The Robyn Dancer colt was beaten by only a half-length when he ran against $40,000 claimers and should get a good trip off the pace under jockey Heberto Castillo, Jr.

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Exotically speaking: A pick three using Target Shoot and Kris’s Currency in the second, Fruition’s Jasmine and Slam Inn in the third and Six Hitter, Saintly Act and Chatting in the fourth.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 6/176. Money: Previous day/meet total: $33.40/$937.80. Total money bet: $1,068.