Derby Is Not the Only Race

Most of racing’s eyes will be focused on the Kentucky Derby today, but the $100,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap doesn’t have to apologize for its field.

Seven veterans will line up for the Grade II, the first prep for the $1-million Hollywood Gold Cup on June 28. The group has amassed 53 victories and more than $3 million in 167 starts.

Along with longshot Flying With Eagles, 4-year-old Wild Wonder is the youngster in the 1 1/16-mile race, but the gray son of Wild Again has been established the 3-1 morning-line favorite by Russ Hudak.

Owned by Verne Winchell’s V H W Stables and trained by Greg Gilchrist, Wild Wonder was second to Mr. Doubledown, the talented Northern California-based sprinter who won the Oakland Handicap a week ago, in his first two 1998 starts. Wild Wonder then stretched out to a mile and won the Berkeley Handicap by seven lengths at Golden Gate Fields.

He will be meeting tougher horses today, but the stalking style he showed in the Berkeley could help him in this spot. Eddie Delahoussaye will ride Wild Wonder for the first time.

The 9-year-old Megan’s Interco is the senior citizen of the bunch and also the richest member, having banked $1,062,465 for owner Milt Bronson and trainer Jenine Sahadi.

Scratched from the San Bernardino Handicap at Santa Anita last month because of rain, Megan’s Interco will be looking for his sixth win in nine starts at Hollywood Park. He is 4-1 on the morning line.

Budroyale is the hottest horse coming into the race, having won three in a row, including two since being claimed by trainer Ted West for owner Jeffrey Sengara for $50,000 on Feb. 15.

Over a wet-fast surface in the San Bernardino, the 5-year-old Cee’s Tizzy gelding won by five lengths. A winner of 11 of 27 starts, Budroyale will try for his fourth victory in eight races at Hollywood Park. He is also 4-1.

The field also includes Flick, coming off a six-length victory in the Wicked North Handicap at Santa Anita; Crafty Friend, who disappointed in his two races in Arcadia this winter but who could improve returning to a track where he won the Bel Air Handicap last summer, and Hal’s Pal, who equaled a track record for seven furlongs (1:20 2/5) at Hollywood Park on Nov. 6.

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In today’s other stakes event, the $100,000 Snow Chief, Champ’s Star is the 5-2 favorite against seven other 3-year-olds bred in California.

Dismissed at 17-1 in the Zany Tactics Handicap 15 days ago at Santa Anita, Champ’s Star rallied to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. He’ll try to stretch out to 1 1/16 miles today for trainer Jerry Dutton. With regular rider Alex Solis engaged in Kentucky, Delahoussaye rides.

The other entrants in the Snow Chief are General Gem, A Touch Of Grey, Navel Academy, Parkview, Makeyourselfathome, Brimfield Bound and Windsor Gold.

Horse Racing Notes

Gates at Hollywood Park will open today at 8:30 a.m., and the first of eight simulcasts from Churchill Downs will be the WHAS-11 Stakes at 9:50.