Horse Racing, Hollywood Park, May 17

Today at Hollywood Park.

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 4 1/2 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 2-year-olds

4 Slew’s Way – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; expect improvement in second career start.

2 Gambulina – FTs from Gary Sherluck is a tepid morning line favorite; watch the tote board for additional clues.

Long Shot – 3 Kiptiddy Do

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $37,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Babyneedsnewshoes – With the turf rail out 20 feet, speed should be a premium asset; watch this filly go early.

2 Warren’s Lover – Has closed well at times, exhibiting more than most in this moribund field; need not be much to cash.

Long Shot – 3 Warren’s Jazz Walk

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Dustin’s Magic – Third start off the claim by Steve Knapp; Knapp loves to win races off the drop, Joel Rosario helps too.

4 Bench Beauty – Was competely overmatched last time in the Warren Thoroughbred; drops in for $16K and should compete.

Long Shot – 5 Plazarita

Race 4 – 4 1/2 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

2 Awe’ Some Kitten – Speedball figures to try the same tactic today; experience from even one race makes a big difference.

3 Jully Baylee – Ran evenly in debut for Steve Knapp; suspect she will improve in second start, expect P Val to send hard.

Long Shot – 8 Gambler’s Beauty

Race 5 – 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $54,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Tasty Treat – Another speedball to catch with the turf rail out 20 feet; like her last two turf sprint tries.

6 Sizzling Gold – Has improved a lot since claimed by George Lopez; good stalking speed, helpful on a speed favoring course.

Long Shot – 8 Darling Dodie

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Low Gear Power – Leap of faith in Jeff Mullins fresh off the claim; has back class races fast enough to upset.

7 Coluda – Logical chalk off a big drop in class; key vote is Joel Rosario takes the call, that’s enough for me.

Long Shot -5 Royal Import

Race 7 – 1 1/4 miles (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $54,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 Antidote – I keep looking for early speed because the turf rail is out 20 feet; expect Martin Garcia to send and control.

1 Ain – Third start off a 13-month hiatus can be his best; slow to race into condition, key is Carla Gaines keeps protecting him.

Long Shot – 2 Renegade Storm

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Visible Marq – Bob Baffert cull is in the bargain bin today; he fired Martin Garcia, so note that David Flores is up.

6 Cheezy Breezy – Dead late closer was absolutely flying in the stretch last time; key is he is always at the mercy of pace.

Long Shot – 5 Rico Espada

Best Bet – 5 Babyneedsnewshoes (race 2)

Betfair Hollywood Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/6/$29.20; Long Shots, 9/1/$8.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.80

Betfair Hollywood Park Totals – 203/49/$333.80; Long Shots, 103/15/$145.20; Best Bets, 12/3/$10.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #2 Gentle Tap (2/1) in race 4 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, The Paddyman ran out at Belmont Park. Stats – 75/49/$423.40; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick