Trainer Sherman on Roll

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer led the standings at Golden Gate Fields and is on top through the early stages of the Bay Meadows meet, but no trainer has been hotter in Northern California in recent months than Art Sherman.

Sherman was hot at Golden Gate and has not cooled off at Bay Meadows. He won with nine of his first 24 starters to rank second in the standings and is winning at a higher percentage than Hollendorfer.

The veteran trainer will try to keep his roll going when he sends out Faxene in today’s fourth, a $30,000 allowance at one mile. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of more than $66,000.

Owned by R L Stables, Faxene, a 4-year-old Dayjur filly, will be returning to the main track after a horrendous effort on a yielding turf course last month at Golden Gate. She has yet to win in four starts on dirt but has been second twice. Freddy Fong Jr. will ride in the field of six.

At Santa Anita, Lucky J.H. will be favored in the seventh, a $52,000 optional claimer for California breds at one mile. Victor Espinoza will be aboard the 3-year-old Cee’s Tizzy colt for owner John Harris and trainer Carla Gaines.

Race of the day: Mr. Mabee, who broke his maiden in his last, at Churchill Downs on May 4, makes his return for trainer Elliott Walden in the seventh at Gulfstream Park. Edgar Prado, who leads the standings at Gulfstream, will ride the 4-year-old Storm Cat colt for Tom Van Meter and Winstar Farm LLC in the $33,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles.

One for the road: Delta Form, who won the 2002 Del Mar Handicap, should improve in his second race after a lengthy layoff in the 10th at Gulfstream Park, a $32,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Chris DeCarlo will ride and they will break from the rail.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using the Wannawinemall entry, Quasimodo, One Smart Deputy and Awesome Jet in the sixth, Lucky J.H. and Generalist in the seventh and Tanks Alot Man and Hot Message in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/97. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$517.60. Total money bet: $648.