Dimitrova Seeks Repeat

The last time Dimitrova raced at Hollywood Park, things turned out well for owner Joseph Higgins.

The daughter of Swain, who had won two of four starts in Ireland, made a successful U.S. debut, beating Sand Springs and 12 others in the $750,000 American Oaks.

Trained by Dermot Weld then, Dimitrova is now in the barn of Neil Drysdale, and she’ll make her first start of 2004 in today’s $100,000 Wilshire Handicap, a Grade III at one mile on the turf.

In addition to her win in the American Oaks, Dimitrova also won the Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park and was second in the Garden City Breeders’ Cup Handicap there before finishing her year with a last-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf last Oct. 25.

Kent Desormeaux will ride Dimitrova for the first time against a field that includes Dublino, who has a win and three seconds in four races over the Hollywood Park turf course, Fun House, Makeup Artist, one of five mounts on the card for Patrick Valenzuela, and Quero Quero, who won the Honeymoon Handicap over the Hollywood Park course last spring.

Race of the day: Miss Coronado, who disappointed in the Fantasy Stakes on April 9 at Oaklawn Park, will return to turf in today’s ninth, a $52,900 allowance at 1 1/16 miles, at Churchill Downs. Pat Day will ride the 3-year-old Coronado’s Quest filly for trainer Bobby Frankel as she tries for her second win in three starts on turf.

One for the road: Pa Pa Da drops in with New York breds in today’s $150,000 New York Stallion Times Square after chasing better in three turf races at Gulfstream Park. Edgar Prado will ride the 3-year-old Incurable Optimist gelding for trainer David Donk.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Triptronic and Dinnerathepalms in the second, Heatherinthemist in the third and Ms Mintons Excess, Wicked College and Wicked Magic in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/13. Money: Previous day/meet total: $6/$71.80. Total money bet: $70.