He Will Take Short Route in the Railbird Stakes

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela has won the $100,000 Railbird Stakes, which will be run for the 43rd time today at Hollywood Park, twice in three years.

Valenzuela won with September Secret for trainer Mike Machowsky in 2002, then won a thriller for Mark Glatt with Elusive Diva last year.

The leading rider at the recently concluded winter-spring season at Santa Anita will try for another victory in the Grade III at seven furlongs when he rides Short Route for the first time.

A California-bred daughter of Mud Route, Short Route will be making her first appearance since she finished seventh of 12 in the Sunshine Millions Oaks on Jan. 29 at Santa Anita.

Before that defeat, the chestnut filly had won two of five, including a one-length victory in the Cover Gal last fall during the Oak Tree meet.

The likely favorite in the Railbird is Inspiring. The 3-year-old Golden Missile filly was third in her comeback in the Santa Paula last month in Arcadia after winning both of her races in 2004. Her maiden victory came by four lengths in her debut July 5. David Flores will ride.

Race of the day: Yankee Mon, who has won his two starts by a combined 10 1/4 lengths since being moved to the barn of trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., will stretch out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time in today’s $75,000 Kings Point Handicap, the closing day feature at Aqueduct. Edgar Prado will ride the 4-year-old Maria’s Mon colt for Windmill Manor Farm in the race restricted to New York-breds.

One for the road: Wild And Wise was re-claimed by trainer Brian Koriner on April 14 and catches a field without much in the way of pace as he switches to the turf in today’s eighth at Bay Meadows. Frank Alvarado will ride the 7-year-old Avenue Of Flags gelding in the $20,000 claimer at one mile.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Inspiring, Donna’s Doll and Short Route in the seventh, Hope For, All Star Cast, Mac Rhapsody and Crypto’s Wild in the eighth, Chosen Honor, Mayne Attire and Creditcardpurchase in the ninth and True Brandy in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/21. Money: Previous day/meet total: $18.80/$119.20. Total money bet: $122.