Neko Bay Seeks 3rd Win

Four of the six 3-year-olds entered in the $65,000 Alydar today at Hollywood Park are coming off wins. Only one member of that quartet is unbeaten, however: Neko Bay.

A son of Giant’s Causeway trained by John Shirreffs, Neko Bay is perfect in two starts. He broke his maiden going short at 21-1 on March 4 at Santa Anita, then stretched out successfully at a much shorter price -- he was 1-2 -- to win by a nose on April 12.

Corey Nakatani, who was aboard for both of Neko Bay’s victories in Arcadia, has the call again this afternoon in the 1 1/8 -mile Alydar.

The only sophomore in the field with a victory at nine furlongs is Papanonie, but his win came on the turf.

Papanonie, a son of Broken Vow, broke his maiden by 1 1/4 lengths on the lawn in Arcadia in his last outing on April 16 and will be making his first start on the dirt. Aaron Gryder will ride.

Race of the day: Foreverness, who ran the race of his life when winning the Fort Marcy Handicap on April 22 at Aqueduct, will face New York breds only in the $100,000 Kingston today at Belmont Park.

The 7-year-old Island Whirl gelding, who won by 4 1/2 lengths at 12-1 in the Grade III last month, will again be ridden by Eibar Coa in the 1 1/8 -mile grass race. Foreverness has won three of eight on the Belmont turf.

One for the road: Hercules should benefit from a race after showing speed in his debut at Keeneland and can win the 10th at Churchill Downs.

Calvin Borel will ride the 2-year-old Forestry colt in the $50,000 maiden affair at 4 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Coronado’s Way in the first, Lemon Law in the second, Eo Po Too Too in the third, Sagitta Ra and Brag in the fourth, Dignified Donovan and Chester’s Choice in the fifth, Swedish Radar and Englishman in the sixth, Denied in the seventh, Papanonie and Neko Bay in the eighth and Point Of Flight in the ninth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/32. Money: (previous day/meet total): $23/$211.80. Total money bet: $246.