Crafty C.T. Carries the Load

The $75,000 Ack Ack Handicap, today’s ungraded feature at Hollywood Park, is one of the more attractive betting races of the meet.

Run at the unusual distance of 7 1/2 furlongs, the Ack Ack has attracted nine older horses -- Wooden Phone was scratched Friday morning -- and the 120-pound high-weight is Crafty C.T.

Owned by Carl Grether and trained by Howard Zucker, Crafty C.T. has made a nice living, earning $819,595, but victories have been rare for the last couple of years. Since the beginning of 2002, the 5-year-old Crafty Prospector horse has won only twice, losing four times as the favorite.

After dropping out of five consecutive graded affairs, four of them Grade I’s, Crafty C.T. will be in line for his first victory since he won an $80,000 optional claimer last Aug. 30 at Del Mar. The Ack Ack will mark only his second start at Hollywood Park. In his other local appearance, he finished fourth on June 24, 2001.

Race of the day: Dr. Brendler, who scored an 18-1 upset over a soggy turf course in the Dixie at Pimlico two weeks ago, is among nine scheduled to go 1 3/8 miles on the grass in the $100,000 Louisville Handicap today at Churchill Downs. The race is the second part of an all-stakes pick three. The other two legs are the $50,000 Royal Glint from Calder and the $75,000 Real Delight from Arlington Park.

One for the road: Winless in three starts on dirt, Cozzening should move up as he switches to the turf in today’s sixth at Belmont Park. John Velasquez will ride the gray son of Cozzene for trainer Mark Hennig.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Royal Moro in the third, using Expressionist, Musical Chairs, Royal Footage and Bingo Card in the fourth and Tactical Allusion, Scoop Of Ice and Sing Because in the fifth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 4/73. Money: Previous day/meet total: $26.40/$404.20. Total money bet: $466.