First Play Never Trails in Hollywood Feature

First Play took the lead out of the gate and held off a late rally by Annual Date to win Friday’s featured race at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Neil Drysdale and ridden by jockey Robbie Davis, the 3-year-old colt covered 1 1/8 miles on the turf course in 1:48 3/5 for his third victory in six starts and first at this distance.

First Play, third last time out in the Will Rogers Handicap, never trailed and finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Annual Date.

First Play returned $4.60, $3.00 and $2.40. Annual Date paid $4.60 and $3.00. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Runaway Dunaway, who paid $3.80.

The winner’s share of $16,500 from the total purse of $30,000 increased First Play’s total earnings to $63,780 for Clover Racing Stable and partners.