HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK
JUNE 9, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
There are always going to be upsets in Thoroughbred racing, and while some
are a bit more predictable than others, not many people could have forecasted
the sparkling performance dispensed by ANDUJAR (Quiet American) this past
Saturday at Hollywood Park. Making her first start for new trainer Doug O’Neill,
and boasting only a preliminary allowance victory as her chief accomplishment
thus far, Andujar did not let that stop her as she scored a convincing win in
the Milady Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at odds of 7-1.
Andujar was immediately hustled to the front by jockey Corey Nakatani and
the Kentucky-bred, who began her career on grass overseas, carved out an
enterprising pace on the lead. She was able to increase that advantage as she
settled into the stretch, eventually going on to win by seven widening lengths.
Hollywood Story (Wild Rush), the early trailer and the 3-2 favorite in the race,
closed belatedly to gain the place over Star Parade (Arg) (Parade Marshall), who
was another 2 1/2 lengths farther back while taking down the show. The
third-place finisher gave ground grudgingly in the stretch to the runner-up
after stalking the fast fractions laid down by the subsequent winner.
Andujar has now strung together three successive victories, and is improving
by leaps and bounds with every start. This was her initial graded success, and
as a result of this win, she remains unbeaten over the Hollywood Park main
track.
On Sunday, three-year-old fillies took to the grass to contest the Honeymoon
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at 1 1/8 miles. Racing toward the back of the pack in the
field of 13 runners, THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) closed determinedly
in the final furlong to wear down a stubborn Thatswhatimean (Belong To Me) to
earn a one-length victory.
Despite being caught in traffic during the early
stages of the race, Three Degrees began improving her position around the far
turn and finished with a purpose to record her first stakes success. Thatswhatimean held gamely for second after dictating the pace throughout,
finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Isla Cozzene (Cozzene). The 7-2
second choice in the wagering, Berbatim (Bernstein), had to be pulled up by
jockey Alex Solis in the race. She was plagued by a very awkward start, causing
her rider to come out of his irons, and was then steadied numerous times heading
into the first turn. She subsequently bore out badly and was taken out of the
race by Solis.
Immediate plans call for Three Degrees to compete in the American Oaks (G1) on
July 3, as she has progressed nicely since arriving in the United States after
beginning her career abroad.
PUXA SACO (Dehere) enjoyed returning to California as she emerged victorious
in the Desert Stormer H. (G3) for fillies and mares going six furlongs. Trained
by Jenine Sahadi, Puxa Saco moved to challenge for the lead around the far turn,
seized the lead in the stretch and eventually pulled clear to a decisive
three-length victory. Tucked Away (Unusual Heat) closed from off-the-pace as
well to finish second, with Ramatuelle (Chi) (Jeune Homme) checking in third.
Mike Smith was aboard the winner, who recorded her initial victory in 2005.
Puxa Saco returned $4 as the even-money favorite in the field of five
runners.
Not much changed in the trainer standings as O’Neill continues to lead
Vladimir Cerin. Mike Mitchell, Bob Baffert and Steve Knapp are all tied for the
third spot with eight victories each.
Victor Espinoza leads Garret Gomez by four victories in the jockey standings,
with Alex Solis in third, Tyler Baze holds down the fourth spot and Rene Douglas
completes the top five.
Early speed did exceptionally well over the main track for most of the week.
There did not seem to be any discernible path biases all week, and the turf
course did not seem to favor any particular running style.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/1)
5TH – DIRECT MALE (French Deputy) tired slowly in the stretch after dueling
head and head for the lead off a brief rest. He relishes a heated battle for the
lead and would benefit from a drop in class back down to the $62,500 claiming
level.
8TH – ALL EYES ON YOU (Lindsey’s Roberto) was a creditable second making her
initial career start. Chased home a wire-to-wire winner who was dropping in for
tag. Should move forward off this experience, as her sire is not really known
for his prowess with debut runners.
Thursday (6/2)
3RD – CAUGHT HEART (Last Lion) finished a much improved second while dropping
and turning back to a sprint. Clearly second best to a decisive front-running
winner. Fits well in sprints and is eligible for softer starter allowance
company for new trainer Sean McCarthy.
4TH – CHARBONNIER (Robannier) showed improvement while reverting to rating
tactics on the drop off a freshening. Forced to rally into a fast final eighth,
which the winner ran in under 12 seconds. Appears to be at his best at a mile.
Friday (6/3)
6TH – HONOR SPIRIT (Honor Grades) was a decent second tackling winners off a
maiden victory. Contested the lead every step of the way and held gamely to save
the place. Appears as though she might have the ability to carry her speed
around two turns.
7TH – FUN’NGAMES TOKNITE (Game Plan) is a Turf Paradise runner who was far
from disgraced shipping into Hollywood Park. Lugged top weight stretching out to
5 1/2 furlongs and held well setting a fast pace under the lights.
Saturday (6/4)
3RD – IBERO GRACE (Arg) (Ibero) dropped down to 50K and recorded a strong
come-from-behind victory while making second start off the Mike Machowsky reclaim.
Closed with a purpose to win in a race that quickened noticeably late. Last
three scores have come at Hollywood Park at 1 1/16 miles.
4TH – UNDER THE SUN (Coronado’s Quest) was a good third stretching out to 1
1/16 miles. Won the pace battle, but lost the war to two fresh closers in the
stretch. Moves into the barn of trainer Jeff Mullins off this effort. Doesn’t
like to yield when placed on the lead.
8TH – Andujar handled the jump into graded company with
aplomb. Rated kindly on the front end for her new trainer and drew away with
something left in the stretch to win by daylight. May be poised to assume the
throne as the Queen of the Filly & Mare division out west.
Sunday (6/5)
4TH – BASHERT (Tiger Ridge) showed dramatic reversal form in second career
start. Broke alertly to exhibit much improved speed to dispute quick fractions
on and subsequently drew clear as much the best. Could be any kind of runner
down the road, as his sire hails from a blue-hen stakes-producing mare who
produced such Grade 1 winners as A.P. Indy and Summer Squall.
5TH – SINGHALESE (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) ran “sneaky well” making her first
start with Lasix. Failed to sustain her rally late off a freshening in a very
swiftly run race. Would benefit from a cutback in distance in addition to some
class relief in subsequent starts.