‘Hayes Goes for Third Win in Row

Bully Hayes, a 5-year-old gelding, has victories at all three major tracks in Southern California -- Santa Anita, Del Mar and Hollywood Park.

The son of Sultry Song now will try to double up at Hollywood Park in today’s seventh, a $51,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Owned by trainer Bruce Headley, Bully Hayes will break from the outside in the field of six as he tries for his third consecutive win. He won an allowance race by two lengths Aug. 20 at Del Mar, then won in his first start around two turns, taking an optional claimer by three-quarters of a length Oct. 10 in Arcadia at today’s distance.

Alex Solis, who was aboard for both victories, has the call again this afternoon as Bully Hayes makes his first local appearance since he broke his maiden by three-quarters of a length July 3.

His opponents include Kickboard, a 4-year-old Kingmambo colt making his California debut for trainer Roger Stein; Robledo, who was last seen finishing second in the Hinds Invitational on Sept. 25 at Fairplex; Brecon Beacon, who was second in his only previous start on dirt; Spellbinder, and Pomona Derby winner Dover Dere.

Race of the day: Cougar Cat, who won once in six starts while racing for trainer Aidan O’Brien in Europe, will make his United States debut for a new barn (Ronny Werner) in today’s ninth at Churchill Downs. Robby Albarado will ride the 3-year-old Storm Cat colt for Richland Hills, Inc. in the $49,400 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of more than $95,000.

One for the road: Sun Valley Anna looks like the controlling speed in today’s eighth at Golden Gate Fields and can lead throughout for high-percentage trainer Kent Molinaro in the $12,500 claimer at 1 1/16 miles for older fillies and mares. David Lopez will ride the 5-year-old Delineator mare for Walnut View Farms, Inc. She could be a single in the late pick four and/or the pick six, which has a carry-over in excess of $25,000.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using It’s A Topper, Complicit Swiss and Run With The Money in the first, Royal Year in the second, Cotorra, Cinder Rose and Carousel Delight in the third and Ultimate Summer and Ever So Nice in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 5/18. Money: (previous day/meet total): $28.60/$92.60. Total money bet: $84.