HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 2
by Bernard T. Moore
The $1.75 million Autumn Turf Festival was kicked off in grand style on
Thanksgiving Day by URAIB (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]), who rallied from last
place to win the Hermosa Beach H. going away. Trailing the field early under
Jose Valdivia Jr., the upset winner raced within shouting distance of the
leaders with about a quarter-mile remaining in the race and once the field
turned for home, Uraib muscled her way past Nadeszhda (Nashwan), the even-money
favorite, in midstretch to post a decisive 1 1/2-length win.
The runner-up, who gained the lead on the far turn, could not match strides
with the winner late, but was clearly second best. Test the Waters (Chequer), a
forward factor throughout the Hermosa Beach, was four lengths farther back in
third. The second choice in the wagering, Noches de Rosa (Chi) (Stagecraft
[GB]), a Grade 1 winner over this course last May, failed to fire in an
uninspiring effort and finished fifth.
In the following day’s $150,000 Hollywood Turf Express (G3), 2003 Breeders’
Cup Sprint (G1) hero CAJUN BEAT (Grand Slam) came charging from well off the
pace to annex his initial stakes win on grass. Under jockey Ramon Dominguez, the
four-year-old was unhurried early while racing in seventh position and kicked
into overdrive shortly after entering the stretch, blowing past the leaders to
win by three widening lengths. Geronimo (Chi) (Gold Tribute), who was bothered
badly at the start, closed belatedly to outfinish Mighty Beau (Rainbow Prospect)
for the place by a neck. De Valmont (Aus) (Dehere), the second choice in the
wagering, set a rapid pace on the front end before shortening stride badly in
midstretch to finish a tired fifth.
The winner, trained by “Turf Wizard” Bobby Frankel, may have embarked on a
new career as a result of this impressive win. His transformation to grass
appeared effortless, as well the switch to rating tactics by his new rider.
When the Miesque S. (G3) drew an overflow field of two-year-old fillies,
Hollywood Park wisely elected divide the race. In the first division, the French-bred Royal Copenhagen (Fr) (Inchinor [GB]) assumed the role of favorite for
trainer Laura de Seroux, but she would not be able to do any better than second
as LOUVAIN (Ire) (Sinndar) came from off the pace after a bit of a tardy start
to power her way to victory in the stretch while making her North American debut for
Frankel.
At the back of the pack racing down the backstretch, Louvain steadily began
improving her position approaching the far turn. She was swung outside of rivals
on the turn by Dominguez and then proceeded to pull away from her competition
late under only modest encouragement. Royal Copenhagen, who was also a bit slow
to begin, raced in tight quarters between runners in the stretch, but lacked the
necessary punch when clear. She finished a neck ahead of La Maitresse (Ire)
(Desert King), thus completing an all European trifecta.
In the second division of the Miesque, PADDY’S DAISY (King Of Kings) emerged
victorious, posting a hard fought neck decision over Conveyor’s Angel
(Conveyor). The winner was wide on the first turn and continued well out in the
course down the backstretch under Corey Nakatani, who was following pre-race
instructions to the letter. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Paddy’s Daisy was floated
out a bit entering the stretch, but closed resolutely nevertheless to have her
neck in front at the finish line, notching her first graded stakes victory in
the process. Conveyor’s Angel, piloted by Gary Stevens, suffered her first
defeat on grass in a sparkling effort. Kenza (Menifee) checked in five lengths
behind the top pair.
Frankel, who has struggled a bit at the current Hollywood Park meet, received
another shot in the arm when LEROIDESANIMAUX (Brz) (Candy Stripes) won the
Citation H. (G1) on Saturday. Stalking the early pace while saving valuable ground to
the far turn, Leroidesanimaux once again demonstrated his affinity for the
Inglewood turf course as he shot to the lead in midstretch and subsequently
withstood the late rally of A to the Z (Benchmark) by a half-length to register
his first Grade 1 win.
The four-year-old colt established the course record in the Inglewood H. (G3)
this past May under jockey Jon Court and has now strung together five successive
victories. A to the Z, fresh off a victory in the California Cup Mile H.,
certainly outran his 41-1 post time odds in a sharp effort under Garrett Gomez.
European import Three Valleys (Diesis [GB]) broke lethargically from the gate
and trailed the field for the majority of the race. The three-year-old was shut
off along the inside in the stretch attempting to rally and then was forced to
alter course while finishing full of run. He bears watching in future efforts.
The Generous S. (G3) for two-year-old males was also run the same day, and
DUBLEO (Southern Halo) proved to be a popular favorite, running down rank
outsider Littlebitofzip (Littlebitlively) in deep stretch to win. The
second-place finisher had stolen away to a daylight early lead, but Nakatani,
who was aboard the winner, never pushed the panic button. Dubleo began whittling
away at Littlebitofzip’s sizeable advantage on the far turn and sustained that
rally into the stretch, wearing down the pacesetter while slowly edging clear
late to score by three parts of a length. Littlebitofzip was all out to hold
second, as the European Sunny Sky (Fr) (Septieme Ciel) closed late, just a nose
behind in third.
Sunday’s final day of the Autumn Turf Festival featured the 10-furlong
Hollywood Derby (G1) for three-year-olds as well as the Matriarch S. (G1) for
fillies and mares going a mile.
Thirteen runners entered the starting gate to compete in the 64th running of
the Hollywood Derby (G1). At the finish, supplemental nominee GOOD REWARD (Storm
Cat) enjoyed a half-length advantage, as he out-kicked both Fast and Furious
(Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]) and Imperialism (Langfuhr) to the wire. The field was
tightly bunched heading into the far turn and as they straightened out in the
stretch, one could see that it would resemble a cavalry charge to the wire. In
midstretch, the winner, under a well-judged ride from Jerry Bailey, kicked into
overdrive to assume a tenuous lead, and maintained that advantage to the wire as
the appropriately named Fast and Furious finished strongly despite a
wide trip. Imperialism (Langfuhr) lacked the acceleration necessary to match
strides with the top two runners, finishing third, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths.
Trained by Shug McGaughey, Good Reward had to survive a long steward’s
inquiry and a claim of foul by rider Kent Desormeaux, who rode Imperialism, for
interference in the stretch. The steward’s took no action, much to the
displeasure of Desormeaux, who claimed loudly that his chances to win had been
compromised. Whilly (Ire) (Sri Pekan), who was part of the early pace scenario,
dropped back on the far turn, but came again in the stretch to finish fourth.
Blackdoun (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]), the 9-5 favorite, never threatened, lacking room
to run for virtually the entire race.
Earlier in the day, Frankel and Bailey teamed up to annex the $500,000
Matriarch with INTERCONTINENTAL (GB) (Danehill). The winner relished the stretch
out to a mile, rallying determinedly in the final furlong to win going away by
two lengths over stablemate Etoile Montante (Miswaki). The runner-up, who was
extremely game in defeat, was softened up on the front end while setting a
pestered pace. Etoile Montante held well into the stretch, but could not
withstand the winner’s late rally while saving the place by a nose over multiple
Grade 1 winner Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]). Musical Chimes, the 9-5
choice in the wagering, was never a factor, as Desormeaux tied her poor
performance to her dislike of the deep footing on the turf.
The main track appeared to favor speed on Thursday and over the weekend, but
only marginally so. There appeared to be no distinguishable path bias the entire
week. The turf course seemed to play early in the week, but come-from-behind
runners were dominant from Friday through Sunday.
Doug O’Neill, with 10 victories to his credit, continues to top the trainer
standings, saddling just one more winner than runner-up Mike Harrington, who has
caught fire once again. Bob Baffert holds down the third spot with eight wins,
with Jeff Mullins, John Sadler and John Shirreffs all bunched together closely
behind. Both Harrington and Shirreffs continue to strike at a high percentage,
with the vast majority of their winners coming in sprints.
Jockey Rene Douglas, who usually campaigns in south Florida this time of
year, has made his sojourn to California quite enjoyable, riding six more
winners this meet than his closest rival, Victor Espinoza. Nakatani and Tyler
Baze are tied for third with 15 victories, just one more than David Flores.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/24)
7TH – SALFORD CITY (Ire) (Desert Sun [GB]), a Group 3 winner overseas, ran a
creditable third in his North American debut. Broke a step slowly leaving the
gate and was “hemmed in” along the rail while stalking a dawdling pace. Unable
to accelerate in the stretch as the pace quickened, the four-year-old sorely
needed this race and should move forward off this effort. Watch for the possible
addition of Lasix in his next start.
Thursday (11/25)
5TH – TRIBE (Cherokee Run) finished a heartbreaking second for new trainer
Paul Assinesi. Running to his works while returning from a layoff, he chased the
early pace and then battled gamely to the wire before dropping a tough luck nose
decision. Fits well at the 8K level, and may be better suited to rating tactics
in subsequent starts.
Friday (11/26)
3RD – Royal Copenhagen was a tad slow to break in her U.S. debut. She
improved her position on the far turn, but was hindered racing in tight quarters
between runners in the stretch. Finished evenly in her first start since August
and initial attempt beyond seven furlongs. Should move forward in her second
start off a layoff and would likely benefit from the addition of Lasix in her
next start.
6TH – Kenza was zealously spotted in a Grade 3 stakes after just breaking her
maiden 15 days ago. Allowed to drop too far behind a modest pace, she was forced
to race extremely wide on the turn and into stretch while attempting to rally.
Certainly was not disgraced while being beaten five lengths by more accomplished
and experienced rivals, the juvenile miss is obviously eligible for much softer
competition in her next start.
10TH – STORM MATE (Aljabr) turned in an impressive debut win for trainer
Julio Canani. Overcoming an extreme outside post in a turf sprint to win going
away, the juvenile certainly looks like he has a future and should improve with
age and experience. His sire won Group 1 races in Europe while his dam, the
classy Kostroma (Ire), won multiple Grade 1 turf events in California and did
not blossom until she was a four-year-old.
Saturday (11/27)
5TH — BONAGUIL (Septieme Ciel) raced too far behind rather ordinary
fractions on the front end off a long layoff. Leveled off nicely in the stretch
and his late rally was compromised when the jockey had to weave his way between
rivals. This might have been a useful prep race as his connections point toward
a marathon turf contest in the future that would suit him better. Owns more
tactical speed than he demonstrated in this race.
Sunday (11/28)
2ND – LADY’S MEMO (Memo [Chi]) finished a sharp third in career debut for an
outfit that doesn’t do well with first timers. Raced three-wide chasing the pace
and finished with interest late, losing a tight photo for the place.
4TH – GILDED BERTRANDO (Bertrando) was a sharp second to an odds-on winning
favorite in just his second start off a prolonged layoff. Relaxed nicely while
stalking the early pacesetter in hand and responded willingly when set down for
the drive.
9TH – Simply draw a line thru the effort of Blackdoun. Raced “bottled up”
toward the inside virtually the entire way and entered the stretch full of run
with no place to go. Nakatani elected to wrap up on him late.