Walsh Wouldn’t Mind a Copy

Trainer Kathy Walsh won a division of the Oceanside Stakes, Del Mar’s traditional opening day feature, with Devious Boy a year ago.

Walsh will try to accomplish the feat again in 2004 as she’ll start Hippocrates in the first of two divisions of the Oceanside, an ungraded race at one mile on the turf.

Owned by Sanford Robertson, Hippocrates, a 3-year-old Hennessy colt, hasn’t run on the turf since making his debut at Naas last Aug. 4 in Ireland. A 4-1 longshot in the field of 14, he finished seventh, beaten by six lengths by Lord Admiral.

Since coming to the U.S., Hippocrates has one win in six races, a four-length victory against maidens on Feb. 14 at Santa Anita.

Breaking from the inside post, Hippocrates, who was purchased for $1.1 million as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale, will be ridden for the first time by Kent Desormeaux.

The colt to beat in the first division is War Academy while Lucky Pulpit, Forgiveable Sin, Blackdoun and Terroplane are the main contenders in the second division.

Race of the day: Paz Ciudadana will try to win for the third time in five starts in today’s fourth at Del Mar.

One for the road: Mumbles should get the waiting ride he prefers in today’s ninth at Belmont Park and can pick up his second win for Chevalier Stable and trainer Bruce Levine in the $43,000 allowance for New York breds at seven furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick all using Albatros in the first, Kinship in the second, Highly Tempting in the third, Paz Ciudadana in the fourth, Proud Tower Too in the fifth, Semi Lost and War Academy in the sixth, Damar Wayne, Brahma Bull and Dark Command in the seventh, Blackdoun and Forgiveable Sin in the eighth and He Does in the ninth.

Winners (Final totals for Hollywood Park): Previous day/meet total: 2/163. Money: Previous day/meet total: $12.20/$950. Total money bet: $1,122.