Malibu Pier is favorite in Monday’s $250,000 Gamely Stakes

The first Grade I race of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting is scheduled for Monday. The $250,000 Gamely Stakes will be run at 11/8 miles on the turf for fillies and mares, and the improving Malibu Pier, trained by Carla Gaines, enters as the horse to beat.

Malibu Pier has won consecutive Grade II races, including the Santa Barbara Handicap on April 16 at 11/4 miles on the turf when jockey Brice Blanc picked up the mount.

Cozi Rose was the beaten favorite in the Santa Barbara and returns for a rematch. She is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, the owners of 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta.

The Memorial Day program will also feature the $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap, a Grade III race at six furlongs. Cost Of Freedom is trying to join Native Diver (1965 and 1967) as only the second two-time winner of the Los Angeles Handicap.

On Thursday after the races, Hollywood Park will hold a memorial service for jockey Michael Baze, who died May 10. He was 24. The tribute will be held in the Sunset Room and is open to the public.