Kalookan Lessie Takes Aim at Stakes Victory

Kalookan Lessie was one of the most impressive 2-year-old maiden winners of Hollywood Park’s spring-summer meet.

The daughter of Deputy Commander won by five lengths in her debut on June 22, beating 11 rivals in 1:04 4/5 for the 5 1/2 furlongs.

Owned and bred by Asistio Romulo Stables and trained by Doug O’Neill, Kalookan Lessie will try to become a stakes winner today when she takes on seven other California-bred fillies in the $125,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs.

The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $111,414.46.

A dark bay filly, Kalookan Lessie will break from the rail and be ridden by Tony Farina.

The field includes three fillies who made their last start in the $49,000 Juan Gonzalez Memorial on July 2 at Pleasanton. Smart Kitten finished third in that race at today’s distance, Bid Of Genius was second and Chulla Isabella was fifth. Alex Solis, who will take over on Smart Kitten, has won the CTBA two of the last five years.

The rest of the lineup includes first-time starter Third Date Kate, who worked a half-mile in a sizzling 44 4/5 nine days ago at Santa Anita, Fun Logic, who was second to Kalookan Lessie last month, Devons Smokin and Harbor’s Halo.

Race of the day: Rahy’s Appeal, who has won two in a row on the turf, will try to keep her roll going when she takes on seven other New York-bred fillies in the $60,000 Jena Jena today at Belmont Park.

Eibar Coa will ride the 3-year-old daughter of Rahy for Gallaghers Stud and trainer Tom Bush in the 1 1/16 -mile contest.

The field also includes Half Heaven, Bristol Lane, For Love And Money, Cayuga’s Waters, Speedy Music, Swither and His Beauty, who will be coupled in the betting with Rahy’s Appeal because of common ownership.

One for the road: Intimidator makes his first start for high-percentage trainer Michael Dickinson and can win for the second time in eight races in today’s sixth at Belmont.

Norberto Arroyo Jr. will be aboard the 4-year-old Gone West colt for owner Robert Evans in the $46,000 allowance at 1 3/8 miles on turf. The trip should be up his alley because he’s out of a Pleasant Colony mare and broke his maiden going nine furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using S S Strange and Tizmanian Devil in the first, St Averil and Spellbinder in the second and Golden Rahy, Sea To See and Noble Masterpiece in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/3. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$18. Total money bet: $34.