‘Trail Is Extending Himself

Dawson Trail, purchased by Michael Tabor for $1 million more than a year ago, will try for his second win in three starts in today’s sixth race at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Neil Drysdale, the 3-year-old Seeking The Gold colt will be racing beyond 6 1/2 furlongs for the first time in the $51,000 optional claimer at a mile on the turf.

After finishing seventh of 10 at 9-1 in his debut last Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, Dawson Trail returned nearly four months later and moved to the grass. The result was a wire-to-wire win on Santa Anita’s hillside course. He scored by a length under jockey Gary Stevens, who is back aboard for the chestnut’s Hollywood Park bow.

The race will also mark Savonarola’s return to California. Owned by Darley Stud Management and trained by Eoin Harty, the gray son of Machiavellian was beaten in three starts in this country as a 2-year-old but broke his maiden in his first start of the year on March 13 in Dubai. Savonarola will leave from the rail and be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela.

A race later, Dream Day, who has won two in a row against claimers, will step up to try tougher company after being claimed by trainer Bill Spawr for $20,000.

Race of the day: The fifth at Hollywood Park is a $16,000 claimer for 3-year-olds and is a competitive start to the pick four. Contenders include dropper Macho Image, Windscore and Light Up The Phone, who’s trained by the sizzling Jeff Mullins.

One for the road: Swainbow switches to the turf for trainer Paul McGee in the sixth at Churchill Downs and the 3-year-old maiden colt is bred top and bottom to move way up on the surface. He’s a son of Swain out of a Soviet Star mare and is also a first-time Lasix user.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Gentlestone in the sixth, using Sister Girl Blues, Blind Ambition and Dream Day in the seventh and Nighthunter Two, Queenofluv and Sco Phone in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/54. Money: Previous day/meet total: $20/$294.40. Total money bet: $362.