Manyouk to Stretch Out

Manyouk, a son of Music To My Ear, who is a son of Stop The Music, didn’t really come close to winning in his first three races.

The California-bred finished fourth, sixth and fifth, beaten by a combined 23 3/4 lengths in sprints at Santa Anita.

In his last outing there, Manyouk was claimed for $40,000 by a partnership that includes trainer Jeff Mullins, then in his first for his new connections, the dark bay gelding ran like a different animal June 14 at Hollywood Park.

Dispatched at 5-2 in a field of eight state-bred maidens racing for a $40,000 claiming price, Manyouk won by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:09 2/5 for the six furlongs.

Today, Manyouk will try a new game on a different surface in a spot where he isn’t eligible to be claimed. The 3-year-old will stretch out to 1 1/16 miles on the grass in a $27,000 starter allowance. The race is the seventh of eight races as Hollywood Park begins the final five days of its spring-summer season.

Aaron Gryder, who rode the gelding in his win, has the call today against 10 opponents.

Race of the day: Commentator, who has won seven of nine, will make his first start of 2006 in the $65,000 Mugatea Stakes today at Belmont Park. Eibar Coa will ride the 5-year-old for owner Tracy Farmer and trainer Nick Zito in the race for New York-breds at 6 1/2 furlongs. Five others are scheduled to go.

One for the road: Fantastic Event disappointed at 4-5 in his first race against winners but can rebound with more patient handling in the fourth race today at Solano in Northern California. Dennis Carr will ride the 4-year-old Event Of The Year gelding for owner Bob Bone and trainer Art Sherman in the $18,000 starter allowance contest at one mile.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using Miz Paradis in the first, Rushin Conductor and Marciamarciamarcia in the second, Raging, Sweet Forever, High Cholesterol and Backyard Party in the third and Quebra Mar, Can’t Stop Slew and Third Offense in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/131. Money: (previous day/meet total): $22.80/$803.80. Total money bet: $984.