Mitchell Hopes Trend Will Continue Today

Trainer Mike Mitchell, who is tied for third in the Hollywood Park standings, consistently wins at a high percentage with horses making their first start for him after a claim.

Mitchell, who begins the new week in Inglewood with 11 victories, leaving him nine behind leader Doug O’Neill and four behind runner-up Vladimir Cerin, will have two such runners on today’s card.

Early Tide, claimed for $10,000 on May 25, will make her first start for Mitchell, who also is the co-owner, in the third race, a $12,500 claimer for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

A winner once in 11 starts, Early Tide, a 4-year-old Score Early filly, should be a threat from just off the pace under new rider Patrick Valenzuela. She has been no worse than second in her last four outings.

Three races later, Belding will step up two levels in her first start for Mitchell when she takes on eight other fillies and mares in a $25,000 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs. Valenzuela will ride the daughter of Benton Creek, who was claimed June 9 when beating $16,000 rivals.

Mitchell has one other starter on the card. Gone Quiet, who picked up his maiden win on a disqualification on May 28, will take on five other 3-year-olds in the second, a $25,000 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Race of the day: Nine maiden fillies and mares will get together at 1 1/8 miles on the turf in today’s fourth at Belmont Park. The race is significant because it begins a pick six that has a carry-over of $42,568. The filly to beat is Up And Down, a daughter of Peaks And Valleys who was third, beaten by a half-length, in her most recent race on turf June 5.

One for the road: Cat Runner drops into a softer spot for her second career race in today’s sixth at Churchill Downs and can graduate for owner Bonnie Holthus and trainer Bob Holthus in the $15,000 maiden event at 6 1/2 furlongs. John McKee will ride the 3-year-old Kayrawan miss, who finished fifth at 5-2 in her bow against $20,000 stock May 30.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Lone Prairie, Gone Quiet and Color Me Free in the second, Early Tide in the third and Regalesque, Ready To Flirt, Triumphal Entry and Thundering Clouds in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/103. Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.20/$521.30. Total money bet: $760.