Drysdale Goes for the Green

Neil Drysdale had two winners during the first five days of Hollywood Park’s spring-summer meet, both winning on the newly renovated turf course.

The Hall of Fame trainer won with Corey County in the first race of the season a week ago, then again Saturday with Trade Only, who led throughout.

Drysdale will try for a couple of turf wins today with starters in two of the three grass races.

He probably will have his best chance in the seventh, where he will send out 40% of the field. Drysdale has Dalicia and Live Life in the $55,000 optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles.

Owned by Team Valor and Never Tell Farm, Dalicia, a 5-year-old, German-bred mare, finished second in her U.S. debut March 31 at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, she will stretch out to the distance of her two overseas victories.

French import Live Life was successful in her first U.S. start, prevailing by a nose as the 8-5 favorite in an optional claimer at Santa Anita on March 16. The gray daughter of Linamix will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela.

Cut Trail, a 4-year-old gelding who is winless in 10 starts, will try to break his maiden for Drysdale in the third, a $46,000 maiden race at 1 1/16 miles.

Race of the day: Gygistar will aim for his third consecutive victory in the $100,000 Westchester Handicap today as Belmont Park kicks off its spring-summer meet. Javier Castellano will ride the 7-year-old gelding, who has won five of nine at Belmont, for trainer Mark Hennig in the Grade III at one mile.

One for the road: Primal Peak arrives sharp at Churchill Downs after posting consecutive wins at Oaklawn Park and can win again in the fifth race today. Robby Albarado will be aboard the 3-year-old colt in the $54,000 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Paint It Black in the second, Summer Survivor, Echezaux, Cut Trail and Red State in the third and Max Power and Chief Trader in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/10. Money: (previous day/meet total): $11/$79.20. Total money bet: $88.