A Gathering Storm Over Hollywood Park

After winning five of 14 races in South Africa, Gathering Storm will make her U.S. debut for trainer Jenine Sahadi in the $62,000 Curious Clover tonight at Hollywood Park.

Owned by a partnership that includes Team Valor, the 6-year-old Joshua Dancer mare will get Lasix for the first time and be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela in the 5 1/2 -furlong turf race that drew six other older fillies and mares.

Gathering Storm should be well suited to the distance. She has yet to race beyond seven furlongs.

Idle since March 16, 2004, she didn’t win any group races in her homeland, but did finish second and third in two starts in Group III events.

The only multiple winner on the Hollywood Park turf course in the Curious Clover is Spirited. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Spirited, a 4-year-old West By West filly, has won two of seven in Inglewood, both at tonight’s distance.

Irgunette, 0 for 8 since coming to the U.S. and joining the barn of Nick Hines; Very Vegas, Nadira, Spring Festival and Fortunately complete the field.

Race of the day: Eye of the Tiger, who won the 2003 Affirmed Handicap and was third in that year’s Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park, will make his first appearance since July 2004 in today’s eighth at Belmont Park.

The 5-year-old son of American Chance will break from the rail under jockey Jerry Bailey in the $58,000 optional claimer at one mile.

Mr. Whitestone, Rogue Agent, Backboard Drummer and Sinister G, best known for winning the 2004 Lanes End at Turfway Park as a 16-1 longshot, complete the field.

One for the road: Questioning finished third in his New York debut June 8 and should improve as he faces a soft field of New York-breds in today’s fifth at Belmont Park.

Cornelio Velasquez will ride the 3-year-old Skip Away gelding for owner-trainer Roy Lerman in the $42,000 race at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Walker, Loren V., Classy Lover and Nickel Silver in the fifth, Greenhill Hail, Enduring Grace and Keepmeinyourheart in the sixth, John’s Kinda Girl, V’ville Lady and Hopeful in the seventh and Sunny Days Ahead in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/145. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16.80/$780.30. Total money bet: $968.