House Of Fortune Seeks a Win

A quality 3-year-old in 2004, House Of Fortune hasn’t made any noise this year.

The daughter of Free House won three of seven last year and was second in two of her losses for owner Arnold Zetcher and trainer Ron McAnally.

However, she has lost six in a row since winning the Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks more than 13 months ago and has hit the board only once in four races as a 4-year-old.

House Of Fortune is trying something new in today’s seventh at Del Mar. She will be running on grass for the first time in the $72,000 allowance at one mile.

David Flores will ride House Of Fortune against seven opponents as she tries to bounce back from a last-place finish in the Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap on June 4 at Hollywood Park.

The field includes three females who have won on the Del Mar turf course. Penny’s Fortune, who has been idle since Jan. 16 for trainer Jenine Sahadi, won last Aug. 15, Navaja won last Aug. 30 and Fencelineneighbor was a winner in 2003.

The other entrants in the third leg of the pick four are Irgunette, Sparkling Humor, Flip Flop and Red Top.

Race of the day: Swing The Cat will make her first start at Del Mar in today’s third, a $61,000 optional claimer for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the grass. Rene Douglas will ride the 5-year-old Tale Of The Cat mare in the first grass sprint of the meet. Other contenders include Fire Bolt, The Yellow Sheet and Vino Tinto.

One for the road: Humble Appeal debuts in a very soft spot in today’s fourth at Arlington Park and can win at first asking for trainer Dale Bennett in the $20,000 maiden claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs. Eduardo Perez will ride the 3-year-old Successful Appeal gelding for owners Savoy Stable and Marc Goldish.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Memogram, Norton Peak and Smokette in the sixth, Navaja, Fencelineneighbor and Flip Flop in the seventh and Malenkov and Proud Louie Too in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/3. Money: Previous day/meet total: $18/$18. Total money bet: $18.