Frankel May Have It Covered

If trainer Bobby Frankel does not win the $500,000 Hollywood Derby for the third time this afternoon, it won’t be for lack of trying.

Frankel will send out four 3-year-olds in the Grade I, the final race in Hollywood Park’s Autumn Turf Festival.

The 11/8-mile race, which drew 17 entrants--only 14 will be allowed to run--was last won by Frankel in 1999 when Super Quercus rallied past Manndar and Fighting Falcon. The hall of fame trainer’s other victory in the Derby came with Eternity Star 10 years ago.

Aldebaran and Denon, two of Frankel’s runners, will race coupled and were made the 3-1 morning-line favorite by Russ Hudak. The trainer’s other starters will be 9-2 shot Mizzen Mast, who won the Bien Bien over the Hollywood Park turf course earlier this month, and 6-1 shot Blue Steller, who won the Bay Meadows Derby as the odds-on favorite on Nov. 4.

Earlier in the day, Frankel will try for his fourth win in the $500,000 Matriarch, a Grade I for fillies and mares at nine furlongs on the turf, as he sends out 4-1 second choice Starine.

The morning-line favorite is the entry of Golden Apples, who has won two of three in this country and Baldwina, who has won three of seven in France.

Race of the day: For pick six players, races 5-10 are all important this afternoon. There is a $1 million guaranteed pool in the pick six and both the Matriarch and Hollywood Derby are in the sequence.

Who’s hot: Western Pride. He has won four in a row in West Virginia, Ohio and Florida. The streak should end in the Hollywood Derby. He is 15-1 on the morning line.

Who’s not: Sumati. The gelded son of Warning won seven of 19 overseas, but hasyet to finish better than fifth in his six starts in this country.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Continental Lu and Ask Me No Secrets in the second, singling Sullivans Travels in the third and using Taillevent , Liberty Run and Strive in the fourth.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 4/28. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $22.60/$151.40. Total money bet: $242.