He May Be Horse for Course

Preachinatthebar scored his biggest victory in the 2004 San Felipe at Santa Anita, winning by a nose over St Averil.

Even so, there is no doubt Hollywood Park is the gray colt’s preferred track.

Owned and bred by Mike Pegram and trained by Bob Baffert, Preachinatthebar has won three of five races in Inglewood and will try for another victory in today’s seventh, a $56,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

The race is the “feature” on the opening-day card of Hollywood Park’s main-track-only meet. There won’t be a turf race during the 27-day season, which ends Dec. 19.

A son of Silver Charm, Preachinatthebar will break from the outside in the field of six as he makes his first start since finishing fourth as the 3-2 favorite in the Windy Sands on Sept. 5 at Del Mar.

The field is completed by Trotamondo, a Chilean-bred making his U.S. debut for trainer Laura de Seroux; Smoocher, Outta Here, Keep On Punching and Melanyhasthepapers.

Keep On Punching is the only other entrant with more than one win at Hollywood Park. He has won twice in four starts for owners W.D. and Ella Sivage and trainer Anthony Saavedra.

Race of the day: Kilgowan, who has won three of five starts at Golden Gate Fields, will break from the outside in a seven-horse field as he seeks his fourth lifetime win in today’s seventh. Chance Rollins will ride the 4-year-old Smoke Glacken colt for Ann Marie Farm and trainer Dean Pederson in the $36,000 optional claimer at one mile.

One for the road: Middle Earth drops out of three consecutive Grade II races and returns to the scene of his last win and can score for trainer Nick Zito in today’s ninth at Churchill Downs. Gary Stevens will ride the 3-year-old son of Dixieland Band for owner Tracy Farmer in the $53,700 allowance at six furlongs. Middle Earth won by 3 1/2 lengths in his last local appearance May 4.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Bluesthestandard, Me My Mine and Sanky Panky in the fifth, Mayacama, Song Sung Gold, La Chola and Janzig Moon in the sixth, Preachinatthebar and Keep On Punching in the seventh and Parade Of Flags in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 0/0. Money: (previous day/meet total): $0/$0. Total money bet: $0.