Swiss Sonata Has Race Options

There is little doubt who the shortest-price favorite at Hollywood Park will be today, provided Swiss Sonata runs in the second race.

The 2-year-old California-bred son of Swiss Yodeler will be odds-on to break his maiden in his third career start for trainer Mike Harrington in a 5 1/2 -furlong dash with a $45,000 purse.

Owned by Heinz Steinmann, Swiss Sonata may be scratched from the race and instead run in the Hollywood Juvenile on Saturday. Purchased for $18,000 last year, Swiss Sonata comes out of a much tougher race in which he was second to Brother Derek on May 14. He was beaten by only half a length and finished one length in front of next-out winner Bashert, who is one of the contenders in the Juvenile.

Jon Court, who began Hollywood Park’s final week tied for sixth place with Rene Douglas in the jockey standings, would ride Swiss Sonata for the first time.

Later in the program, Lower Shore will try for the 19th time to break his maiden when he takes on eight others in the fifth, a $32,000 claimer at seven furlongs. Alex Solis, who is second to Garrett Gomez in the jockey race, has the mount on Lower Shore for trainer Mel Stute.

Race of the day: In the eighth at Belmont Park, King’s Drama, who has won two of five in the U.S., will make his first appearance since finishing fifth in the Canadian International at Woodbine on Oct. 24. John Velazquez will ride the 5-year-old King’s Theatre gelding in the $58,000 optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf. The field includes Proud Man, Muqbil, Dr. Kashnikow, Grand Heritage and main track-only entrants Broadway View and Dr. Rockett.

One for the road: Hold Your Patience has trained well at Philadelphia Park for his debut and can win for trainer Edward Allard in the fourth at Belmont. Harry Vega will ride the 2-year-old Tale Of The Cat colt for owner Mrs. Neils Johnsen in the $41,000 maiden race for New York breds at five furlongs.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using Happy And Hasty and Bettor Royalty in the first, Swiss Sonata in the second, Majestic Avenue, Mister Mambo, Maebe Valid and Tiz A Treasure in the third and J.J. Maroun, Roy’s Last Roar and Appearance Fee in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/156. Money: Previous day/meet total: $28/$851.70. Total money bet: $1,038.