Sunset Place Can Keep Pace

In six well-spaced starts for owner-breeder Janis Whitham and trainer Ron McAnally, Sunset Place has yet to run a bad race.

Since running second at 30-1 in his debut in a maiden race at Oak Tree, the chestnut son of Gilded Time has collected two wins and three more runner-up checks.

In three starts this year, the 4-year-old has been second each time, but has run well enough to win.

On Jan. 25, he finished behind talented sprinter Total Limit. Next, he chased the win machine Bluesthestandard. Then he finished a half-length behind the longshot Publication in a swift race -- 1:15 3/5 for 6 1/2 furlongs.

With Patrick Valenzuela riding in the Kentucky Oaks today at Churchill Downs, Corey Nakatani will ride Sunset Place today in the fourth race at Hollywood Park, a $51,000 optional claimer at six furlongs. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $81,135.

This will be the first start in Inglewood for Sunset Place, who has trained well over the track. He will have only four opponents.

Race of the day: Californian, impressive in winning the Forerunner at Keeneland in his U.S. debut for trainer Kristin Mulhall, will try for his first graded stakes win in the $100,000 Crown Royal American Turf. The 1 1/16 mile race at Churchill Downs drew 15 3-year-olds, but only a dozen will be allowed to run.

One for the road: Yell is a playable longshot in the Kentucky Oaks. The daughter of A.P. Indy was compromised by a slow pace and the speed-biased nature of Keeneland in finishing a distant fourth in the Ashland, but she could turn the tables with more distance, a fairer track and the anticipated lively pace.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Desiraes My Candy, Last Tango, Sister Patricia and Moving Experience in the fifth, singling Cryptoscript in the sixth, using Chiming and Pertuisane in the seventh and Legion Of Cats and Distinctive Flyer in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/17. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$103.40. Total money bet: $120.