Pick Six Carry-Over Is the Main Attraction

There is not a single redeeming feature about the racing card today at Hollywood Park.

Thanks to some upsets on opening day, there is a pick-six carry-over of $90,654. If not for the carry-over, there wouldn’t be much reason to get involved in a program that features two five-horse fields and 56 entrants in eight races.

One of the races with only five runners is the third, which kicks off the pick six. The $54,000 optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on the turf attracted a Grade I winner, Sarafan.

Getting ready to go to Japan to start in the Japan Cup on Nov. 30, Sarafan, who upset Beat Hollow in the Eddie Read Handicap last year and has career earnings of more than $2.35 million, will face Hataab, Mountain Rage, Justice Minister and Harrisand.

Forced to miss the Breeders’ Cup Mile because of a minor setback, Sarafan, a 6-year-old Lear Fan gelding trained by Neil Drysdale for owner Gary Tanaka, holds a class edge over his rivals. However, he is winless in five starts on the Hollywood Park turf. His best finish was third as the even-money favorite in his first start of 2003, on May 21.

Race of the day: Michael Gill, the leading owner in the nation, will send out his first starter in California when trainer Nick Canani saddles Glick in the seventh at Hollywood Park. The $44,000 optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf also attracted F J’s Pace, a 16-time winner, and Bob Baffert-trained Ecstatic.

One for the road: Glitter Time was the beaten favorite in her first against winners at Keeneland on Oct. 18 but can rebound for trainer Mike Tammaro in the eighth at Churchill Downs, a $45,100 allowance for older fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Lady Annaliese in the fifth, Seven Jillion, Reality Check, Dotage and Winthrop Joe in the sixth, F J’s Pace and Glick in the seventh and Lil’ Yiper, Zero Visibility, Nobu Special and Happy Yodeler in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/0. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$0. Total money bet: $16.