Dynever Tries to Turn Tide

This was supposed to be the year Dynever stepped to the top of the handicap division.

When the son of Dynaformer began his year with a 4 1/2 -length win in the San Bernardino Handicap on April 3 at Santa Anita, he looked ready to become a major player.

Since then, however, Dynever is winless, having failed in his last five starts for owners Peter Karches and Catherine Willis and trainer Christophe Clement. Perhaps another trip to California will get the 4-year-old back on track.

Dynever is the 119-pound highweight in today’s $100,000 Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park. A Grade III at 1 1/8 miles, the race drew eight others, after Valid Again and Formal Attire were scratched Friday, and is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $300,358.

Other contenders include Supah Blitz, Tizbud and Truly A Judge, who won impressively over the track Nov. 18 for trainer Dave Bernstein.

Race of the day: Bluesthe- standard will try to end a four-race losing streak when he drops out of a Grade I to compete in today’s $50,000 Oakland Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.

Jon Court is scheduled to ride the 7-year-old American Standard gelding for owner Jeffrey Sengara and trainer Ted H. West against six opponents in the six-furlong race.

One for the road: Smilin Fine can remain unbeaten in his third start when he takes on 10 other 2-year-olds in today’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. Carlos Marquez Jr. will ride the son of Finest Hour for Valene Farms and trainer Troy Young in the six-furlong race. He enters off a pair of wins at Evangeline Downs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Dynever in the seventh, You Crack Me Up and Ditch Digger in the eighth and Belvedere Belle, Seeking Results and Alexander Charlote in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/76. Money: Previous day/meet total: $21/$428.40. Total money bet: $476.