Biggest Day Gets Bigger

For those who don’t think there’s enough action on Breeders’ Cup Day, proposition wagers are about to become a reality on racing’s biggest day.

Starting with this year’s Breeders’ Cup, which will be run for the first time at Arlington Park on Oct. 26, fans will be able to make head-to-head bets on whether one horse will beat another in a specific race.

Other prop wagers that could be offered include a Europe vs. America on the day’s three turf races--the Mile, the Turf and the Filly and Mare Turf. Players would be asked to select whether an American or European-based horse would win a specific race, and a jockey prop on which rider would win the most races on the card.

Returning to Hollywood Park, the most interesting race on today’s card might be the sixth, a 1 1/16-mile contest for maidens.

Second in the Alydar on May 23 behind eventual Belmont Stakes also-ran Like A Hero, World Light will be in with non-winners today as he tries for the third time to win his first race.

The 3-year-old son of Broad Brush has been second in both of his races, but he is not a slam dunk today.

His opponents include Gravitate, who was a sharp second to Rock Cod Johnny going seven furlongs and looks ready to go long for trainer Bob Baffert, and Battler Bob, a $425,000 yearling purchase who has been second in all five of his races for trainer Neil Drysdale.

Race of the day: Pleasantly Perfect will add blinkers as he seeks his second win for trainer Richard Mandella in Hollywood Park’s seventh, a $51,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

Who’s hot: David Flores. He had the highest win percentage (24) of any jockey in the top five at Hollywood Park at the start of this week.

Who’s not: Richard Destasio. The New York-based trainer is three for 56 this year.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Avian and Belongstospeed in the fifth, Gravitate and World Light in the seventh, singling Pleasantly Perfect in the seventh and using Bin Rejoicing, Half Moon and My Kimberlee Anne in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/110. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16.40/$644.60. Total money bet: $706.