Siphonizer Gets the Nod

Far behind stablemates Action This Day and Minister Eric in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Siphonizer might turn out to be better than both in the long run.

An easy winner in his 3-year-old debut on April 24 at Churchill Downs, the son of Siphon is the 9-5 favorite today in the $150,000 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Owned by B. Wayne Hughes and trained by Richard Mandella, Siphonizer, whose biggest victory in 2003 came in the Del Mar Futurity last Sept. 10, won by 6 1/4 lengths as the 3-2 second choice in his first race since the Breeders’ Cup last month in Kentucky.

Making his Inglewood debut, the $275,000 yearling purchase will be ridden by Alex Solis in the Grade II at seven furlongs.

The 4-1 second choice on the morning line is Twice Is Bad, a Stormy Atlantic colt who will be making his first start since Dec. 13 and first for trainer Vladimir Cerin. The gray won two of 12 in Florida as a 2-year-old and was second to Second Of June in the What A Pleasure Stakes in his most recent race. Corey Nakatani will ride the Florida-bred for the Mercedes Stable LLC.

Race of the day: Meridiana, who has won three in a row for owners Jon and Sarah Kelly and trainer Christophe Clement, heads a field of eight fillies and mares in the $150,000 Sheepshead Bay Handicap today at Belmont Park. The race is a Grade II at 1 3/8 miles on turf. Edgar Prado will ride Meridiana, a German bred, who won the Bewitch at Keeneland on April 21.

One for the road: Jets Fan had a troubled trip in his first race for trainer Michael Hushion in the Westchester Handicap on May 5. He now switches to jockey Jerry Bailey in the seventh at Belmont. The 4-year-old Gold Token gelding can win the $56,000 optional claimer from just off the pace.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Sweet Rhapsody, Charlotte Forever and Wild Meeting in the sixth, Seeking The Heart, Justly Royal and Moonstone Bay in the seventh, Siphonizer in the eighth and Expressionist, Relentless Seller, Water Czar and Aggressive in the ninth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 1/57. Money: Previous day/meet total: $4.40/$305. Total money bet: $462.