Katdogawn Is Favored Against Five on Grass

Horseplayers whose favorite distance is seven furlongs will be in heaven this afternoon at Hollywood Park.

Five of the eight races (Nos. 2-6) on the card are at that distance.

The other three races are two 4 1/2-furlong races for 2-year-old maiden fillies and an optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf for 3-year-old fillies.

Katdogawn is the 9-5 favorite in the grass race against five opponents. Owned by a partnership that includes Jim Ford and trained by Jim Cassidy, the English-bred is shortening up after finishing third and sixth in a pair of routes at Santa Anita.

In her lone sprint try in this country, Katdogawn, who will be ridden by Mike Smith, was second, beaten by a head by Luvah Girl, at 18-1 in the La Habra Stakes on Feb. 28. She should get a quick pace to chase this afternoon.

Completing the field are Fudge Fatale, who broke her maiden sprinting on the Santa Anita turf course; Don’t Tell Wendy, a two-time winner for trainer Rafael Becerra; Sharpbill, who will be adding the blinkers in her second U.S. start; Miss Nicolie and Madringa.

Race of the day: Rhetoric Express, who won by three lengths the last time he ran seven furlongs, heads the field in today’s second race at Hollywood Park, a $50,000 claimer. His main threats are Jersey Rebel, who has been idle since Jan. 25 for trainer Kathy Walsh, and Hasty Kris, who ran second at the level for trainer John Sadler.

One for the road: Chirac At Thetrack looked good winning in his debut at the Fair Grounds on March 14 for trainer Bill Badgett Jr. and could repeat in the sixth at Belmont Park. Jerry Bailey will ride the 3-year-old French Deputy colt, who will break from the inside post.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Meteor Game, Frosty Breeze and Sweet Olympio in the sixth, singling Katdogawn in the seventh and using Miss Sand Bar, Clever June-Meg’s Operator entry, Tipsy Indy and Purple Emblem in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/26. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.20/$138.80. Total money bet: $190.