Plagiarist Tries to Rebound

Plagiarist looked like a possible star when he broke into the game at Hollywood Park on Dec. 17.

Overlooked at 9-1 in the wagering, the Souvenir Copy gelding crushed maidens by 8 1/4 lengths in his debut for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Since then, Plagiarist hasn’t come close to winning and O’Neill is no longer his trainer.

The 3-year-old will start for trainer Jeff Mullins for the first time tonight as he returns to Hollywood Park in the seventh race, a $49,000 allowance for California-breds at six furlongs.

In three starts at Santa Anita and Sunland Park, Plagiarist finished eighth, ninth and sixth. The $11,500 yearling purchase has worked well at Santa Anita, including a 58 2/5 drill from the gate a week ago. Victor Espinoza will be the fifth rider for Plagiarist.

The 5-2 morning line favorite in the field of seven is Catoutathebag, who finished second in the Barretts on April 30.

Race of the day: Wanderin Boy, who won two races at Keeneland by a combined 15 1/4 lengths, will try for his sixth win in 10 starts in the $500,000 Pimlico Special today in Baltimore. Javier Castellano will be aboard the 5-year-old Seeking The Gold horse in the Grade I at 1 3/16 miles.

One for the road: Swiss Songbird ships north for her second start for trainer Mike Machowsky, running in the fifth tonight at Bay Meadows, a $30,000 race at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using Big Mistake, King Palm and Accrue in the first, Quasimodo in the second, Surging Desire and Micky’s Doll in the third and Under House Arrest, Missed Summer and Papa Squirrel in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/43. Money: (previous day/meet total): $8.60/$282.20. Total money bet: $312.