Hystericalady goes on the defense at Churchill Downs

Hystericalady will look for her second Grade I victory in as many starts at Churchill Downs when she tries to defend her title in the $300,000 Humana Distaff on Saturday.

Owned by Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, the 5-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor won the seven-furlong race by four lengths at odds of 7-1 in 2007.

Rafael Bejarano, who rode the chestnut mare for the first time in the Distaff last year, has a return engagement. She will break from the inside against eight opponents.

The Distaff is the first of two Grade I events that precede the Kentucky Derby on the program.

The other is the $500,000 Turf Classic, which goes at 1 1/8 miles.

Bejarano’s mount in the Classic is Artiste Royal, a California shipper who will be making his first start over the grass at Churchill.

Owned by David Heerensperger and trained by Neil Drysdale, the 7-year-old son of Danehill has won five of 12. In his most recent race, he finished fourth in the Arcadia Handicap on April 5 at Santa Anita.

The Derby is the final leg of an all-stakes pick six at Churchill. Besides the Turf Classic and the Humana Distaff, the other races are the $250,000 Churchill Downs at seven furlongs, the $150,000 La Troienne at 7 1/2 furlongs and the $150,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile.

A Grade III for 3-year-old fillies, the La Troienne features the return of Secret Gypsy. Owned by Richland Hills and John Kuehl and trained by Ronny Werner, the daughter of Sea Of Secrets hasn’t been out since a 6 1/4 -length maiden win in her debut Aug. 16 at Saratoga.

Race of the day: Carolyn’s Cat will look for her third win in a row and fourth in seven starts in the $200,000 Nassau County at Belmont Park. Alan Garcia will ride the 3-year-old Forestry filly for owners Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin in the Grade III at seven furlongs.

One for the road: Gloria Jeanne drops in class and returns to the grass and can make the ninth time the charm in the second race at Bay Meadows. Alex Bisono will ride the 4-year-old General Meeting filly for owner-breeders John Harris, Joseph Marchese and Don Valpredo and trainer Marty Jones in the $20,000 maiden claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four at Hollywood Park using Six Again in the eighth, Forestry’s Fire, Rudeameanie and Runnin Onasugarhi and Incurable Lou in the ninth, Valiant Effort and Chestnut Touch in the 10th and Rydell and Forest Hawk in the 11th.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/22. Money (previous day/meet total): $5.80/$136.80. Total money bet: $136.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com