They Know How to Finish

Of the nine 2-year-olds entered in today’s $75,000 Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes, seven enter the restricted race off of victories.

Among that group, only four have wins around a turn and two of them -- Alpenfest and This Cats Smokin -- figure to vie for favoritism.

Owned and bred by Heinz Steinmann and trained by Mike Harrington, Alpenfest, a son of Swiss Yodeler, who has been a productive sire of 2-year-olds, broke his maiden by three lengths in his career debut on May 1. He completed the 4 1/2 furlongs in 52 seconds flat and will run an extra sixteenth of a mile today.

Alpenfest’s final time was the same as This Cats Smokin when he won at first asking on April 23, Hollywood Park’s opening day. A Smokester gelding owned in partnership by trainer Wesley Ward, the California-bred made up substantial ground in the final eighth of a mile to win going away.

The other youngsters who have won beyond two furlongs are Tricky Flash Flood, who beat $40,000 claimers at 11-1 on May 7, and Queen’s Counsel, who also beat $40,000 maidens as the 6-5 favorite in his debut on opening day.

Race of the day: There are a lot of full fields on today’s card at Hollywood Park, making for a lot of good betting opportunities. The most wide-open race of all might be the sixth, a six-furlong sprint for California-bred maiden fillies and mares.

One for the road: Travelator will try for her fourth victory in five starts as she steps into stakes company in the $100,000 Bouwerie at Belmont Park. Aaron Gryder will again ride the A.P. Jet filly for the Sugar Bear Stable and trainer Chris Englehart.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling B.Z. Jones in the seventh, using Alpenfest, This Cats Smokin and Double Belvedere in the eighth and Casual Thunder, Darknessonthedge and Steeleon Season in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/49. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.20/$268. Total money bet: $328.