Adoration, Star Parade Will Face Off Again

Adoration and Star Parade will meet for the fourth time in five months in today’s $250,000 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.

After finishing behind Star Parade in the Bayakoa Handicap on Dec. 7 and Santa Maria Handicap on Feb. 16, Adoration -- best known for her 40-1 shocker in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last fall -- turned the tables in the Santa Margarita Handicap on March 14 at Santa Anita.

The daughter of Honor Grades tracked Star Parade for most of the trip, then drew clear to win by two lengths.

Mike Smith will ride Adoration for owner John Amerman and trainer Dave Hofmans, breaking from the inside in the field of six. Coconut Girl, Hope Rises, Victory Encounter and Beaucette are also supposed to start in the Grade I, which was won the last two years by Azeri.

Since her runner-up performance in the Santa Margarita, Star Parade visited Arkansas, where she finished third behind Azeri in the Apple Blossom. However, trainer Darrell Vienna appealed a non-disqualification by the stewards of Wild Spirit and the state racing commission overturned the stewards’ decision, meaning Star Parade was awarded second money.

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Race of the day: Lifestyle, who beat maidens by 9 3/4 lengths in an impressive debut March 12 at Gulfstream Park, will run today in a $45,000 allowance at seven furlongs at Belmont Park. There is a pick six carry-over of more than $171,000.

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One for the road: Dilechance gets a confident boost in class after an easy win for $10,000 after being claimed by trainer Steve Cahill. Tab the 5-year-old American Chance gelding in the fifth at Churchill Downs.

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Exotically speaking: A pick three using Revello in the fifth, Kid Royal, Tizzy Time, It’s A Perfect Day and Onlyamatteroftime in the sixth and Islander, Free Cheers and Reel ‘Em In in the seventh.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/31. Money: Previous day/meet total: $9/$172. Total money bet: $222.