A Busy Night for O’Neill

Trainer Doug O’Neill has starters in half of the eight races in tonight’s card at Hollywood Park and all are contenders. Post time is 7:05 as the track runs the first of its two Friday night programs during its 36-day fall meet.

Coronado’s Pride is the first of O’Neill’s runners. The 3-year-old Coronado’s Quest gelding will take on four others in the first, a $62,500 claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Mike Smith will ride Coronado’s Pride, who has a win and three starts since being claimed by O’Neill for a partnership that includes former Dodger Paul Lo Duca.

In the fourth, Mr. Tiff will debut against a weak field of $25,000 maidens for O’Neill and owner Merv Griffin. The 5-year-old Honor Grades horse will be ridden by Tyler Baze.

Old Chinese Copy is the probable favorite for the stable in the fifth, a $40,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

She has never been worse than third in three races on the course.

The last of the O’Neill entrants is Distorted Rumor. He is the one to beat as he stretches out to 1 1/16 miles and drops into a claimer for the first time.

Race of the day: Watchem Smokey, who was in too tough in the Vosburgh, drops into a softer spot in today’s eighth at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old Alphabet Soup gelding will be ridden by Edgar Prado in the $58,000 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

One for the road: Silent Stream returns to her favorite track and can win for the fourth time in seven starts at Churchill Downs in today’s eighth, a $64,700 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Coronado’s Pride and Blofeld in the first, Andrea’s Angel and Golden K K in the second, Tarlow in the third, Gassan Honey and Mr. Tiff in the fourth, Old Chinese Copy in the fifth, Distorted Rumor in the sixth, General Moody in the seventh and She’s Booked and Mysterious Peace in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/6. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3.40/$36.60. Total money bet: $32.