Hills tries to go two for two
No trainer has a higher win percentage at Oak Tree than John Hills.
He won with his only starter, taking the Oak Tree Derby with Dark Islander on Oct. 14.
Hills will try to end the 26-day season perfect as he sends out Clinet today in the $150,000 Las Palmas Handicap, one of two graded stakes on the closing-day program at Santa Anita.
Owned by Wood Hall Stud, Clinet, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred daughter of Docksider, hasn’t been out since finishing far back in a Group II on March 2 in the United Arab Emirates. Before that poor effort, Clinet had won five of 22 and earned more than $251,000.
Alex Solis will ride Clinet in the Las Palmas, a Grade II at one mile on the grass. Other top contenders in the field of nine include Beautyandthebeast, Berbatim, Singalong and Movie Star.
Also today is the $100,000 Morvich Handicap, a Grade III at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass. Solis’ mount is Rebel Rebel, another 4-year-old Irish-bred who has won five of 20. In his most recent start for a partnership and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., Rebel Rebel finished second, beaten by a neck by Becrux in the Woodbine Mile, a Grade I, on Sept. 17.
His primary rivals in the Morvich, which is being run for the 33rd time, are Buckland Manor, Terroplane, Captain Kurt and Railroad.
Race of the day: Officer Rocket, who has won three of four starts, will look for his second consecutive Grade III win in the $100,000 Iroquois on opening day at Churchill Downs. Mark Guidry will ride the 2-year-old Officer colt for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, Inc. and trainer Bob Holthus in the mile race. The Churchill card also features the $100,000 Pocahontas, a Grade III for 2-year-old fillies at one mile.
One for the road: Teton showed speed before tiring in her bow on the Belmont Park turf last month and could be long gone switching to the main track in the sixth race at Aqueduct. Javier Castellano will ride the 2-year-old Arch filly for owner-breeders Joan Taylor and William Wilmot and trainer Michael Matz in the $41,000 race for New York-bred maidens at six furlongs.
Exotically speaking: A pick three using Overly Tempting and Unbridled Trouble in the first, Britt’s Jules in the second and Epic Commander, Attack Alert, Irish Honor and Midnite Moonshine in the third.
Winners: (previous day/meet total): 6/79. Money: (previous day/meet total): $28.80/$428.20. Total money bet: $432.
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