A Pick Four Out of the Gate

The pick four has arguably become racing’s most popular exotic wager and a second one, covering the first four races, has been added at Hollywood Park, beginning today. Traditionally, pick fours have covered only the last four races of the day.

Jockey David Flores, who ranks fifth in the Hollywood Park standings with 14 winners, 11 fewer than leader Rene Douglas, has two promising mounts in the opening pick four. Flores will ride class dropper Silver Screen Hero in the second and logical favorite Pointforli in the third.

Silver Screen Hero, a 3-year-old Cee’s Tizzy gelding trained by Marty Jones, will be running against $25,000 claimers for the first time, and trying two turns for the first time since he finished third at Fairplex Park on Sept. 18.

Pointforli, a 2-year-old Secretary Forli filly, has won two in succession for owner-breeder Robert Moreno and trainer John Sadler. She has six opponents in her race, a $32,000 claimer at six furlongs that begins the pick six.

Race of the day: Our Rite Of Spring, who won by nearly 13 lengths over a sloppy track on Nov. 12, may get similar conditions today as she takes on six other fillies in the eighth at Aqueduct. The $46,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $42,623.

One for the road: Gold Like U should improve in her second race off a layoff for trainer Michael Miceli in today’s sixth, a $50,000 claimer at six furlongs, at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old Gold Token filly also likes the inner track with two wins and two thirds in four tries over the course.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Imagoldseeker and Potion in the first, Silver Screen Hero in the second, Pointforli, Hainesome Gal and Continental Caller in the third and Gray Magic, Laccabue and Sword Of Honour in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/52. Money: Previous day/meet total: $10.20/$305. Total money bet: $344.