Not a Bad Opening Act

There is no stakes race today on Hollywood Park’s opening-day card, but the sixth has a stakes-quality field.

A $50,000 allowance at a mile on the turf, the race attracted nine fillies and mares, including Belleski, who has won seven of 11 on the grass, and graded stakes winner Quero Quero.

Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss and trained by John Sadler, Belleski is stretching out again after winning the Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 29 at Santa Anita. A winner of two of four at today’s distance, Belleski is a 5-year-old Polish Numbers mare.

A 4-year-old Royal Academy filly owned by Old Friends Inc. and trained by Paulo Lobo, Quero Quero will be making her first start since she finished 10th of 11 in the Beverly D., a Grade I, Aug. 14 at Arlington Park.

Successful at 10-1 in the 2003 Honeymoon Breeders’ Cup Handicap over this course, Quero Quero will be ridden by Gary Stevens.

The second leg of the pick four also features Betty’s Wish, Fudge Fatale, Daisyago, Chasethegold, Voz De Colegiala, Notting Hill and Acago.

Race of the day: Fail Me Not, who has won two in a row for owners Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Fishelberg and trainer Mike Mitchell, will try to keep the streak going in today’s seventh at Hollywood Park. Victor Espinoza will ride the 5-year-old Handsome Halo horse in the $42,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles. Saint Buddy, Sumitas, Right Proof, Mud Shark, Pinkhair and Forty Suertudo are also scheduled to run.

One for the road: Ship’s Captain drops into a softer spot in his second after a layoff in today’s eighth at Churchill Downs. Mark Guidry stays with the 3-year-old Grindstone colt in the $20,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using El Don in the fifth, Belleski, Quero Quero and Betty’s Wish in the sixth, Fail Me Not, Saint Buddy and Forty Suertudo in the seventh and Is It True Mex, Monsieur Boulanger, Devote and Dog Days in the eighth.

Winners (Final for Oak Tree): Previous day/meet total: 3/88. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16/$483.10. Total money bet: $460.