Hockley Wins Friday Night Feature
Hockley made it two victories in his last three starts, surging late as the 2-1 favorite in the $48,640 turf feature Friday night at Hollywood Park.
Despite the formful result in the evening’s penultimate race, there were some earlier upsets, so there will be a Pick Six carryover of $95,018 when racing resumes Saturday. Post time for the 10 race card is 1 p.m. The Pick Six begins in the fifth.
There is also a carryover in the Super High Five, which is offered daily in the final race. The carryover is $29,995.
Second behind Summer Movie in his first start over the local grass going one mile on April 23, the 3-year-old A.P. Indy colt out of the Storm Cat mare Penny’s Fortune appreciated more yardage against nine opponents.
Ridden by David Flores, Hockley was reserved off the pace, was between horses early in the stretch, then angled to the rail to outfinish 9-1 shot Very Fair by one length.
Trained by Eoin Harty for Darley Stable, the $550,000 2-year-old purchase won for the second time in nine races. He increased his earnings to $99,811.
Third in his previous try at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 27 at Santa Anita, Hockley completed the distance in 1:49.14.
Well positioned close to the pace while saving ground in his first start in Southern California, Very Fair challenged for the lead in the stretch, but couldn’t match strides with the winner in the closing yards. One of three in the field eligible to be claimed for $80,000, Very Fair held the place by a nose over Jairzihno, who was nearly 14-1.
Hockley paid $6, $3.80 and $3.20. Very Fair returned $7.20 and $5.40 while the show price on Jairzihno was $9.
Fantastic Pick, the pacesetter who led by two lengths with an eighth of a mile to run, faded to fourth, a half-length behind Jairzihno. Boulder Creek, Gilligan, My Boy Walsh, Coloursoftheglen, Tiz A Knight and Quillotano completed the order of finish.
The racing highlight Saturday is the $150,000 Californian, a Grade II at 1 1/8 miles on Cushion Track. It is the last significant prep for the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 10.
Rail Trip, an impressive winner in his 2010 debut in the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap on May 8, is the 3-5 morning line favorite in the field of eight. All are 5-year-olds. The Californian is the ninth race. Approximate post time is 5:05 p.m.