Taking Short Route to Success

In her first start on the main track, Short Route was successful. The California-bred daughter of Mud Route won by a head at 52-1 in her career debut last Aug. 1 at Del Mar.

Trainer Joe Herrick hopes for the same result when Short Route makes her first start on turf in today’s $75,000-added Manhattan Beach Stakes at Hollywood Park.

A 5 1/2 -furlong race, the Manhattan Beach drew 10 other 3-year-old fillies -- Private Banking, who won two sprints in Europe before coming to this country; Key Secret; Kelly’s Princess; Kaimana; Kresgeville; Spring Of Pearls; Brooke’s Halo, who disappointed at 5-2 in the Beaumont at Keeneland in her last race April 14; Kohar; Northern Mischief and Lady Bertrando.

The 122-pound highweight, Short Route has won two of six since that shocker by the beach, including a local victory over Inspiring in the Railbird on May 1.

David Flores will ride Short Route for the first time in the Manhattan Beach.

Race of the day: Old Forester, who set a course record for 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park while winning the Canadian Turf Handicap about two months ago, cuts back to seven furlongs against eight others in today’s $100,000 Jaipur at Belmont Park. Edgar Prado will ride Old Forester for trainer Bill Mott. Gulch Approval, Thunder Touch and Trade Fair are the other prime contenders.

One for the road: Red Top drops into a softer spot as she ships north for trainer Pat Gallagher in today’s seventh at Golden Gate Fields. Danny Sorenson will ride in the $33,000 optional claimer at one mile on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Star Pupil and Frankelstein in the sixth, Atouratoura in the seventh, Short Route, Kaimana, Private Banking and Key Secret in the eighth and Playgirl, Jerri Lynn, Yourway Highway and Laker Girl in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/65. Money: Previous day/meet total: $8.40/$324.60. Total money bet: $448.