Lil’ Sister Swiss Will Try to Grow Up in Nursery

After a busy day that included three graded stakes races, things slow down considerably at Hollywood Park today.

The main event is the $75,000 Nursery, a restricted stakes for 2-year-old fillies and a prep for the $100,000-added Landaluce on July 2.

Lil’ Sister Swiss, one of five maidens entered in the five-furlong Nursery, is the filly to beat. A daughter of Swiss Yodeler owned, bred and trained by Patty Harrington, Lil’ Sister Swiss was second in her lone start on April 23. She was beaten half a length by longshot Bully Bones in a solid 51 1/5 for the 4 1/2 furlongs.

She should improve with the race experience and moves to the inside post this afternoon. Victor Espinoza will ride.

Trainer Leonard Duncan entered three in the Nursery, and all of his entrants will be running beyond two furlongs for the first time. Of the trio, Angelic Angie, who will be adding blinkers, was arguably the most impressive, winning by a nose in 21 4/5 on April 13 at Santa Anita, and the two who finished directly behind her have since returned to win.

Race of the day: Surf Cat, a promising 3-year-old son of Sir Cat, will make his first start against winners in today’s seventh at Hollywood Park after an easy score against maidens last month at Santa Anita. Alex Solis will ride Surf Cat, who beat next out winner Jack’s Kid by 3 1/2 lengths on April 9, for trainer Bruce Headley in the $49,000 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs. Greg’s Gold, Rojo Blanco, Trail Mix, Vencer, Runs In The Family and Tinquilco complete the field.

One for the road: Severado doesn’t have much to beat in his return to New York for trainer Bob Klesaris in today’s fourth at Belmont Park. John Velazquez will ride the 9-year-old Clackson gelding for the C D and G Stable in the $35,000 claimer at one mile on turf.

Severado has a win and a second in three starts on the Belmont grass and has won nine of 29 in his career.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Witness This, Spencer’s Magic, Slew Of The Night and Blairs General in the sixth, Surf Cat and Greg’s Gold in the seventh, Lil’ Sister Swiss in the eighth and Siphon Melody, Blue Cay, Mysterious Peace and Rene De Sonora in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/43. Money: Previous day/meet total: $24.20/$232.60. Total money bet: $296.