It Could Get Wicked Tonight

Friday night racing returns at Hollywood Park after a one-week break and also making a comeback is Wild And Wicked.

Wild And Wicked, a 4-year-old colt, hasn’t run since finishing fourth in the Travers Aug. 23.

He is one of eight scheduled to go 7 1/2 furlongs in tonight’s sixth, a $54,000 optional claimer. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of more than $87,000.

Before he completed 2003 at Saratoga, Wild And Wicked had won three of four starts, including a 3 1/4-length win over six opponents in the Ohio Derby last June 21.

Wild And Wicked will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela. Other contenders are Timely Action, who has won three of five at Hollywood Park; Touch The Wire, who won his only start in Inglewood in impressive fashion last fall; the late-running Ride And Shine, and Daunting.

Race of the day: Stage Player, who has won two in a row on the grass for trainer Jeff Mullins, will try for his first victory on the Hollywood Park turf course in tonight’s fifth, a $50,000 optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs. Tyler Baze will ride the 5-year-old Stage Colony gelding for owner Bob Bone and trainer Jeff Mullins.

One for the road: Pleasant Signal is put in a spot where he can’t be claimed by trainer H. James Bond in today’s eighth at Belmont Park as the 5-year-old Pleasant Colony horse tries for his third win in eight starts. Jose Santos will ride Pleasant Signal in the $46,000 allowance at 1 1/4 miles on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta keying the Bettor Royalty entry on top in the fourth with Lytle Creek and Jones Reserve in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/28. Money: Previous day/meet total: $10.40/$163.20. Total money bet: $206.