• FAIL ON THE RAIL? NOT THIS ONE-EYED FEMALE

• VAN DYKE HOMEWARD BOUND FOR THE DERBY?

• SANTA ANITA, GOLDEN GATE CLOSED TO PUBLIC

• TOP SIRES CONSIDERED FOR QUEEN BEE TO YOU

HARD NOT TO LOVE TACKLES RAIL, ROUTE FOR FIRST TIME

Today’s Beholder Mile will mark a first for Hard Not to Love.

In six career races, the one-eyed wonder filly trained by John Shirreffs has never started from the gate without one horse on either side of her.

In the Grade I Beholder, she breaks from the rail, meaning there will be nothing but the turf course and the Infield on her left, or blind, side (she lost her left eye when kicked by another horse as a youngster).

“Because she’s never broken from the rail, I have no idea how she’ll react,” Shirreffs said. “But under normal circumstances, you’d like a horse on each side, whether a horse has one eye or two eyes, just so they have a horse next to them, so I hope it goes well.”

As for going two turns for the first time, Shirreffs wasn’t overly concerned.

“I think a mile should suit her,” he said, “especially with her style, because she comes from off the pace.”

Hard Not to Love, a four-year-old daughter of Hard Spun, won her two previous races at seven furlongs, rallying from last each time, in the Grade I La Brea to score by 2 ¼ lengths on Dec. 28, and the Grade II Santa Monica by 3 ½ lengths on Feb. 15.

The Beholder, race seven of eight: Hard Not to Love, Mike Smith, 8-5; Der Lu, Abel

Cedillo, 5-1; Zusha, Umberto Rispoli, 15-1; Kaydeitre, Brice Blanc, 30-1; Ollie’s Candy, Flavien Prat, 3-1; and Ce Ce, Drayden Van Dyke, 4-1. Mother Mother was scratched.

VAN DYKE COULD RETURN TO HOMETOWN FOR DERBY

May 2 could be a happy homecoming day for Drayden Van Dyke.

Currently the 25-year-old native of Louisville is the regular rider of prime Kentucky Derby candidate Authentic, who won last Saturday’s San Felipe Stakes in impressive front-running fashion to remain unbeaten in three starts by a combined margin of 11 ½ lengths.

Van Dyke also rode current Kentucky Derby flavor of the month Charlatan to a smashing debut victory at six furlongs on Feb. 16, earning an eye-catching 105 Beyer Figure, and is back aboard to ride the odds-on favorite in today’s sixth race at one mile for Bob Baffert.

“It was a great performance,” Van Dyke said of Authentic’s San Felipe victory. “The horse was more mature this time. I’m thankful to be where I am and to have a chance to ride a horse like this.

“Being born in Louisville and going back to my hometown where the Kentucky Derby is run would be huge. I spent my summers at Churchill Downs when I was growing up as a little kid and I’d visit the jocks’ room with my (late) Dad (Seth), so to win for all the people back there would be special.”

Van Dyke has been a go-to guy for Baffert working horses in the mornings, and the two-time Triple Crown winner took the occasion of his San Felipe triumph to recognize his efforts.

“Drayden has been doing a magnificent job and I’m happy for him,” Baffert said after winning the San Felipe for a record seventh time. “He works hard as does all my team. A lot of sweat and hard work goes into our program and we’re fortunate to have a horse like this.”

As to Charlatan’s race today, Baffert said, “We’re looking to see what he can do going long. We’re trying to squeeze in a distance race to see if he continues on.”

SANTA ANITA, GOLDEN GATE FIELDS TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

With the utmost regard for the safety and well-being of our customers and employees and in following the best available guidance from local and international health authorities, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields is temporarily closed to the public.

Both tracks will continue live racing as scheduled with personnel licensed by the California Horse Racing Board in attendance which will provide our fans at home with the opportunity to stay connected to the action via our 1/ST BET and Xpressbet apps.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will look forward to welcoming our fans and guests back again soon.

FINISH LINES: Rags-to-riches Queen Bee to You has been retired and will be sent to Kentucky to be bred, trainer Andrew Lerner said. Claimed by Michael Pender for $50,000 in December 2016, the California-bred daughter of Old Topper would go on to win four stakes under the 30-year-old Lerner, the last three in a row at three different tracks, including the Bayakoa and the La Canada, each a Grade III event. “She’ll leave for Kentucky next week,” Lerner said. “We haven’t decided who she’ll be bred to yet, but we have Speightstown, Curlin and Uncle Mo in mind. “We’re going to miss her. She’ll be hard to replace.” A six-year-old bay mare, Queen Bee to You had a career record of 8-11-5 from 33 starts with earnings of $658,770 . . . On-track patrons or no, Santa Anita’s popular horn blower Jay Cohen will be on the beat as usual today to the delight of fans watching via simulcast.