Pesci Takes Step Up in Hawthorne Handicap

Fresh off an 8 1/2-length victory on the Hollywood Park main track, Pesci will try to become a graded stakes winner in today’s $100,000 Hawthorne Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.

Co-owned by actor Joe Pesci and trained by Wesley Ward, the 4-year-old Stormy Atlantic filly has won three of five and is unbeaten in two local outings. Before her easy win on April 30, she had broken her maiden by the same margin in her career debut on Nov. 27.

With jockey Patrick Valenzuela suspended for the balance of this month, Mike Smith has regained the mount on Pesci, who is the 9-5 favorite on Russ Hudak’s morning line. Smith has won two of three with the Florida-bred filly.

Pesci will have seven opponents in the Grade III, including 5-2 second choice Summer Wind Dancer.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Jeff Mullins, the 4-year-old Siberian Summer filly is trying to end an extended losing streak. She is 0 for 9 since the beginning of 2003 and hasn’t won since taking the California Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 2, 2002.

Among the others, Makeup Artist will be returning to the dirt for trainer John Shirreffs after finishing sixth of nine in the Wilshire Handicap on April 25.

Race of the day: Bella Banissa, who was second in her career debut in the Nursery Stakes on May 16, is among eight 2-year-old fillies set to run 5 1/2 furlongs in the $75,000 Cinderella Stakes. Jockey Corey Nakatani will ride the daughter of Good And Tough for trainer Dave Hofmans.

One for the road: Artie Schiller is one of the best 3-year-old turfers in the country and he can make it five wins in six starts on the grass in today’s $100,000 Hill Prince at Belmont Park. Jockey Richard Migliore will ride the 3-year-old son of El Prado for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Luna Joe in the fourth, Dell Place and Captain Squire in the fifth and Selvatica, Mea Domina and Sparkling Forest in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/75. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13.80/$417.40. Total money bet: $588.