HOLLYWOOD PARK : The Preakness Pick Here Is Olympio

The last time an Arkansas Derby winner experienced success in the Triple Crown was when Tank’s Prospect won the 1985 Preakness.

Six years later, history could repeat itself at Pimlico today. Olympio, who erased doubts about his ability to win at more than a mile with his victory in last month’s 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, is the choice here in the 116th Preakness.

If the Naskra colt wins his fourth consecutive race, there will be no Triple Crown sweep once again. Strike The Gold, the hero of the Kentucky Derby, looks vulnerable for several reasons.

For one, his come-from-behind style doesn’t play as well at Pimlico as it does at Churchill Downs. Tactical speed is very important at the Baltimore track, as was seen in last week’s Pimlico Special. Farma Way, Summer Squall and Jolie’s Halo were the first three--Summer Squall and Jolie’s Halo changed positions--all the way around and none of the late runners ever threatened.

For another, the Derby wasn’t particularly impressive. The final time, 2:03, was slow, so this seems an ideal spot for a new face to shine.

This will also be the third tough race, each at a different track, in five weeks for Strike The Gold. Before winning the Derby, he won the Blue Grass at Keeneland, and maybe this campaign will start to take its toll.

While Strike The Gold, Best Pal, Mane Minister and Hansel were busy in the Derby, Olympio was resting after his 2 1/2-length victory at Oaklawn Park.

Owner Verne Winchell and trainer Ron McAnally were represented by Sea Cadet in the Derby, but they decided to reserve the better of their 3-year-olds for the Preakness.

Judging by his recent workouts, the plan seems the right one. Olympio worked a mile in 1:37 a week ago and appears to be handling the track well.

Thought to be most effective around one turn, Olympio showed he was much more than a sprinter with his victory April 20. Trying 1 1/8 miles for the first time, he took the lead early under Eddie Delahoussaye, dropped back, then took control when asked and won going away.

An extra sixteenth of a mile shouldn’t pose any problem. With his No. 7 post position, Delahoussaye can either take the lead or sit just off the pace if somebody else wants to go.

There is also one other positive for Olympio. He is the only horse to have beaten Dinard. He won by a nose in the seven-furlong San Vicente Feb. 10, beginning Olympio’s three-race winning streak.

The unknown is the track condition. It rained heavily in Baltimore Friday and it remains to be seen how Olympio would handle an off track, since he never has raced in the mud or slop. However, the forecast for today is promising and Pimlico does dry out quickly.

Best Pal was beaten by nearly two lengths by Strike The Gold in the Derby, but he may be able to reverse things today. With his terrible post in Kentucky, No. 15, the Habitony gelding was forced to drop farther back than usual so he could avoid losing ground in the first turn.

In the small Preakness field, Gary Stevens and Best Pal will be a lot closer early and have a sizable jump on Strike The Gold.

In his last victory--December’s Hollywood Futurity--Best Pal finished six lengths ahead of Olympio, but that margin is deceiving. Olympio was shut off badly with about a quarter of a mile to run and lost all chance. Although it is doubtful he would have beaten Best Pal that day, he would have been right there.

Hansel, the beaten favorite in the Derby, is hoping to rebound in the Preakness, but there were concerns about his health immediately after his dismal performance two Saturdays ago.

Mane Minister outran his 86-1 odds when third at Churchill Downs and should collect a nice piece of the purse again today. Few give the Wayne Lukas-trained Corporate Report a chance. Honor Grades wasn’t exactly flattered by Alydavid’s Derby effort and how is the nervous Whadjathink going to handle being shipped across the country and running back in two weeks after winning the Spotlight May 4 at Hollywood Park?

Besides the Preakness, which will be simulcast between the third and fourth races, Hollywood Park will offer two stakes today, the $111,100 Will Rogers Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the turf and the $108,300 Hawthorne Handicap at the same distance on the dirt.

The Will Rogers, to be run as the fifth race, attracted nine 3-year-olds, topped by Compelling Sound and English invader Persianalli. After disappointing in the Santa Anita Derby, Compelling Sound won his grass debut on opening day at Hollywood Park. Pat Valenzuela will ride for trainer Charlie Whittingham.

A son of Persian Bold, Persianalli was trained by John Gosden in England, where he won three of his five starts. Owned by Ed Allred, Hollywood Park President R.D. Hubbard and state Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno), Persianalli will remain in California with trainer Mel Stute and will be ridden today by Russell Baze.

What’s certain about the Hawthorne is that somebody other than Bayakoa will win it for the first time since 1988. From the rail out, the field of seven includes Questioning, Corey Nakatani; Survive, Baze; Fit To Scout, Julio Garcia; Brought To Mind, Valenzuela; Sky Darter, David Flores; Luna Elegante, Jose Santos and Fantastic Look, Kent Desormeaux.

Hollywood Park Notes

The other Will Rogers contestants are Eastern Dude, Bucking Bird, Stark South, I Will Reign, Soweto and Triple Alpha. . . . Entries were taken Friday morning for the $200,000 added Mervyn LeRoy Handicap, the first prep for next month’s Hollywood Gold Cup. In Excess, who was fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap in his last start, is the 118-pound high weight in Sunday’s feature. His opponents include the Charlie Whittingham duo of Warcraft and Anshan, along with Louis Cyphre, Perforce, Stylish Winner, Nuits St. Georges and El Zorzal.