Juvenile Could Be an E Z Grade

Only two weeks after making his debut, E Z Warrior will try to become a graded-stakes winner today in the $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship at Hollywood Park. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $194,798.

Owned by Zayat Stables LLC and trained by Bob Baffert, the 2-year-old Exploit colt broke in with a 1 3/4 -length victory June 18. The 1-2 favorite, E Z Warrior, who was purchased for $1.2 million earlier this year at Barretts, broke from the rail and covered the five furlongs in 57 4/5 seconds.

E Z Warrior will leave from the inside post again today as he stretches to six furlongs in the Grade III, which drew eight others. David Flores, who has never won the Juvenile, will ride.

The colt to beat is Diamond Dave. A son of Bernstein owned by Davonne Stables Inc. and trained by Doug O’Neill, Diamond Dave beat maidens by 4 3/4 lengths in his second race May 29. O’Neill is also scheduled to run Great Hunter, a 2-year-old Aptitude colt that he purchased privately for owner J. Paul Reddam after the Pennsylvania-bred won a maiden race on June 8 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Race of the day: Da Stoops, who crushed California-breds in the Snow Chief on April 30 at Hollywood Park, will race five other 3-year-olds in the $150,000 Dwyer today at Belmont Park. Garrett Gomez will ride Da Stoops in the Grade II at 1 1/16 miles. The 2-1 morning line favorite is Keyed Entry. Da Stoops is the co-second choice with Strong Contender at 5-2.

One for the road: Good Time’n Dixie broke her maiden like a future star in her debut June 10 and can repeat in the eighth race today at Pleasanton. Chad Schvaneveldt will ride the 3-year-old Yankee Victor filly for trainer Art Sherman in the $30,000 allowance at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Tice in the sixth, Sunday Dress and Kalookan Lessie in the seventh, E Z Warrior, Diamond Dave and Great Hunter in the eighth and Chief Constable, Too Much George and Popularcoffee in the ninth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/123. Money: (previous day/meet total): $23.40/$751.20. Total money bet: $908.