Olympic Moment Will Try Turf Course in Inglewood

After winning a stakes at Los Alamitos 12 days ago, Olympic Moment will try to win another tonight at Hollywood Park.

The 6-year-old Will’s Way gelding, who beat a field of quarter horses and fellow thoroughbreds in the Prankster Cf Handicap on June 4, is among seven older horses scheduled to participate in the $60,000 Flame Thrower at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf this evening in Inglewood. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $87,181.

Owned by David Garcia and trained by Joe Herrick, Olympic Moment is no stranger to the grass. He won his lone start on the surface, taking the Murrtheblurr Handicap by three lengths Jan. 10 at Turf Paradise in Arizona. A 12-1 shot that day, Olympic Moment ran the 4 1/2 furlongs in an extremely rapid 49 3/5 seconds under jockey Cesar DeAlba, who has the mount in the Flame Thrower.

The one to beat tonight is Taikun. The 6-year-old Australian-bred gelding has won seven of 16 and will be seeking his first win in this country for owner Edward Goldstone and trainer Ron McAnally.

Taikun, who will be ridden by Alex Solis, has been second in his first two races in the U.S. He was beaten by half a length by Scottsbluff in the Bullet in his most recent start May 15. Scottsbluff, who is now on the sidelines with an injury, set a Hollywood Park record, winning in 1:00 1/5.

Race of the day: Penny Dream, who has won two in a row since being claimed for $35,000, will try for her third victory in as many starts over the Belmont Park turf in the seventh race today. Kent Desormeaux will ride the 6-year-old Pembroke mare for owner Chrome Cowboy Racing Stable and trainer Steve Asmussen in the $48,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

One for the road: K O Love is a sharp gelding stepping up two levels and can win his fourth in a row in the sixth race tonight at Bay Meadows.

Frank Alvarado, who has been aboard during the victory streak, stays aloft for Bill Morey, who co-owns the 6-year-old K.O. Punch gelding with Jim Haverty, in the $25,000 claimer at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Opimian in the fifth, Coyote Fast, Under House Arrest and Li Bien in the sixth, Taikun and Bear In The Woods in the seventh and Jagged Heart, Racy Ack and C R Victory Babe in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/99. Money: (previous day/meet total): $10.20/$626.20. Total money bet: $678.