Pletcher Seeks a Turf Sweep

Based primarily in New York, Todd Pletcher consistently wins at a high percentage. At last glance, he was scoring at a 22% rate in 2002 and is near the top of the standings at Aqueduct.

A one-time assistant to Wayne Lukas, Pletcher can improve upon his numbers today at Hollywood Park because he has leading contenders in the $200,000 Miesque and the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Express. The Miesque is the first leg of a pick six with a carry-over of $80,184.

In the Miesque, the first race in Hollywood Park’s three-day Turf Festival with stakes races worth $2.1 million, Pletcher will send out the unbeaten Ocean Drive, while Texas Glitter is his representative in the Turf Express.

A 2-year-old daughter of Belong To Me, Ocean Drive has won her three starts on turf by a combined 10 lengths.

This will be the third year in a row Texas Glitter has run in the Turf Express. The 6-year-old Glitterman horse finished second by a neck in 2000 and was fourth last year.

Race of the day: Lido Palace heads a field of 11 older horses in the $400,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. Churchill Downs also has a good-sized carry-over of $110,348.

Who’s hot: Gamblin Town. The Town Caper filly won her third in a row on Wednesday at Hollywood Park, overcoming a horrible start to beat $10,000 California-breds.

Who’s not: Gary Contessa. The trainer won only three of his first 47 races at Aqueduct.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Fly To The Wire, Brancusi and Coax Kid in the seventh, singling Malabar Gold in the eighth and Pennysenyen, Flylikethewind and Sonny Sal in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/39. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11.40/$215.60. Total money bet: $284.