Stevens shifts tack to Hollywood

The last time Gary Stevens rode at Hollywood Park, he guided Alphabet Kisses

to victory in the 2005 A Gleam Invitational Handicap.

"I didn't know that," Stevens said in response to the information.

Alphabet Kisses is long retired, but Stevens is in the midst of a highly

successful comeback which began in January and continues over the Memorial Day

weekend. The biggest of the mounts for the Hall of Famer is the Tom

Proctor-trained Marketing Mix in Monday's Grade 1, $250,000 Gamely Stakes.

Stevens, 50, has won the Gamely on three occasions -- Northern Aspen (1987),

Metamorphose (1992) and Donna Viola (1997) -- and is on a contender in this

year's renewal. Marketing Mix won the Rodeo Drive last September 29 at Santa

Anita and returned to finish second in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf a

month later.

"I worked (Marketing Mix) at Keeneland about a month and a half ago and I

can't wait to get on her back," Stevens said.

The six-time Hollywood Park riding champion has been deluged with reporters'

questions since his surprise victory aboard Oxbow in last Saturday's Preakness

Stakes.

"I've done loads of interviews since Saturday," remarked Stevens, who has

spent the last couple of days recharging on the golf course.

"It's good to be back home. I'm definitely sticking around Southern

California. I'll ride the rest of the (spring/summer) meet, then move on to Del

Mar."

In addition to Marketing Mix, agent Craig O'Bryan has booked Stevens to ride

Purim's Dancer -- also for Proctor -- in the $70,000 Great Lady M. Stakes Sunday

and Tiz Tee Time for trainer Cody Autrey in the Grade 3, $100,000 Los Angeles

Handicap, also on Monday's Memorial Day Card. Tiz Tee Time won an optional

claimer by 2 1/2 lengths April 13 at Oaklawn Park in his most recent start.

Stevens cleaned out his locker in the Churchill Downs jockey's room last

Sunday, but said that he could return to the Louisville, Kentucky, track for

select stakes engagements.

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