A competitive field has been entered for the $150,000 American Handicap, a grade II turf event July 4 at Hollywood Park. The holiday program includes the $100,000 Landaluce Stakes, a grade III event for 2-year-old fillies.
The American, at 1 1/8 miles, was expected to mark the return of 2001 Hollywood Turf Cup winner Super Quercus, but he raced in and won an allowance event at Hollywood Park June 30. Entries for the July 4 program were taken that morning, so Super Quercus is listed on the overnight.
Even with Super Quercus out, trainer Robert Frankel has two in the American: Thady Quill and Kappa King. Thady Quill, owned by Gary Seidler and Mrs. John Magnier, has earned $249,010 in his career, while Kappa King, owned by Oak Cliff Stable, won his United States debut May 26 in an allowance event at Hollywood Park upon his trip from France.
Patrick Valenzuela is named to ride Thady Quill, while Kent Desormeaux has the call aboard Kappa King.
Others in the American are the appropriately named National Anthem (Tyler Baze), R Mclennen (Miguel Perez), Devine Wind (Gary Stevens), Amicable (Victor Espinoza), The Tin Man (Mike Smith), Native Desert (Eddie Delahoussaye), and Nicobar (Laffit Pincay Jr.). Native Desert is the 118-pound highweight.
Magic Smoke, winner of the Cinderella Stakes June 2 at Hollywood Park, is the 119-pound highweight in the six-furlong Landaluce. Laffit Pincay Jr. has the call.
The field is completed by Tricks Her (Valenzuela), Souvenir Crown (Smith), Himalayan (Desormeaux), Buffythecenterfold (Matt Garcia), Spirit Run (Iggy Puglisi), Little Bit A Swiss (Espinosa), Proud Girly, Solo Singer (Alex Solis), and Bartok's Blithe (Brice Blanc).
The holiday program was threatened June 29 when trainers boycotted the entry box for July 3 over concerns about workers' compensation insurance. The situation was resolved June 30, and entries were taken for July 3-4.
The field for the $150,000 American, nine furlongs on the turf:
Horse, jockey, weight
1--National Anthem, Tyler Baze, 113
2--R McLennen, M.A. Perez, 110
3--Thady Quill, Pat Valenzuela, 115
4--Super Quercus, Alex Solis, 121
5--Devine Wind, Gary Stevens, 114
6--Kappa King, Kent Desormeaux, 115
7--Amicable, Victor Espinoza, 112
8--The Tin Man, Mike Smith, 115
9--Native Desert, Eddie Delahoussaye, 118
10--Nicobar, Laffit Pincay Jr., 117
