Owner Arnold Zetcher hopes to close out a memorable year with House of Fortune Sunday in the $355,500 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I), a 1 1/16-mile test for 2-year-old fillies. Zetcher entered the sport less than three years ago with Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally and scored his first stakes victory here with Gabriellina Giof in the 2001 Manhattan Beach Stakes.Zetcher has rocketed to prominence the past four months with Fairly Ransom, winner of the Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) and runner-up in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT), and House of Fortune, who scored her third straight victory in the California Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 9.House of Fortune, a California-bred daughter of Free House, will be facing unrestricted stakes company for the first time. But her winning time in the Cal Cup race at 1 1/16 miles was slightly faster than that recorded by unbeaten Halfbridled in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) over the same surface two weeks earlier. She drew post two in a field of six.Zetcher, 63, is a St. Louis native and Boston resident. He is the president and CEO of Talbots, a chain of upscale clothing stores offering primarily women's wear. Zetcher has seen his stable grow to 12 as he seeks his first grade I stakes victory.Victory U.S.A., who drew the rail, is expected to be the favorite.$355,500 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I, 4:37 p.m. PST), 2-year-old fillies, 1 1/16 mile
PP. Horse, Jockey Name
1. Victory U.S.A. (KY), David R. Flores
2. House of Fortune (CA), Alex O. Solis
3. Dixie High (FL), Kent J. Desormeaux
4. Hollywood Story (KY), Patrick A. Valenzuela
5. Rings and Things (FL), Mike E. Smith
6. Rahy Dolly (KY), Jose Valdivia, Jr.
All carry 120 pounds.
