Botanical Takes On Four in U.S. Debut at Belmont

Group placed in Europe and Dubai, Botanical will make his U.S. debut for Godolphin Stable today at Belmont Park.

A 4-year-old son of Seeking The Gold trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Botanical will have four opponents in the eighth race, a $47,000 allowance contest at six furlongs.

Last seen finishing third behind Saratoga County and Tropical Star in the $2-million Golden Shaheen on March 26 at Nad Al Sheba, Botanical will race on Lasix for the first time as he seeks his third victory.

Jerry Bailey will ride the dark bay, who broke his maiden at York in England and was third in the Group III Coventry Stakes as a 2-year-old.

Meanwhile, the richest race on a forgettable card at Hollywood Park is a $51,000 optional claimer for California-bred fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

Lila Hope, who will race in blinkers for the first time, is the probable favorite against four others.

Short fields are the order of the day at Hollywood Park.

Only 51 horses were entered in the eight races and the seventh is one of three races that had only five entrants.

Race of the day: Prize Story, who has won his last two on the Churchill Downs turf course by a combined 8 1/2 lengths, will try to keep the roll going in today’s ninth in Louisville.

Bill Troilo will again ride the 5-year-old gelded son of Prized for owner Robert Mondun and trainer Bill Ford in the $53,300 allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

Other contenders include Salcombe, who is making his first start in more than a year for trainer Wally Dollase, Saturday Deelites, who is trained by Dale Romans -- he leads the Churchill standings -- and Bombay Lad.

One for the road: Happy Zone drops in class and makes his debut for trainer Lloyd Mason in today’s sixth at Pleasanton.

He can break his maiden in his sixth career start. Macario Rodriguez will ride the 3-year-old Stage Colony gelding for owners Dick Chase and Alan Cox in the $8,000 maiden claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Silent Kingdom in the fifth, Cabo’s Dawn, Sultry Bard and Hockey The General in the sixth, Lila Hope, Las Vegas Jitters and Bit Of Folly in the seventh and Micky’s Doll, Smokin Joeymodo and Mosley in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/123. Money: Previous day/meet total: $25.80/$644.90. Total money bet: $860.