HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
JULY 7, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Hollywood Park put on a spectacular day of racing as part if its American
Oaks Day on Sunday. No fewer than five stakes events were contested, in
addition to several allowance races.
SPLENDID BLENDED (Unbridled’s Song), who was a beaten favorite in her most
recent effort at Belmont Park in June, certainly atoned for that defeat when she out-gamed a very stubborn Island Fashion (Petionville) to win the Vanity H.
(G1) for fillies and mares at nine furlongs. Splendid Blended stalked the pace
carved out by the odds-on favorite, Andujar (Quiet American), and then was able
to displace the pacesetter leaving the furlong grounds. She then held
determinedly to withstand the rally of Island Fashion, who suffered a
heartbreaking defeat, losing by a head in a thrilling stretch drive. Andujar
gave ground grudgingly in the stretch to finish a close-up third.
WHILLY (Ire) (Sri Pekan) demonstrated that early speed is dangerous in
racing, regardless of what surface you may be running over, as he wired the field
in the American H. (G2) at 1 1/8 miles on the grass. The
transplanted European runner was well handled on the lead by jockey Felipe
Martinez, and was able to brush aside a strong challenge from King of Happiness
(Spinning World) in the stretch. The runner-up loomed a dangerous presence while
engaging the leader in midstretch, but could not get by the gritty winner.
Third-place finisher Fourty Niners Son (Distorted Humor) benefited from a ground-saving trip, but
lacked the necessary response when called upon in the stretch.
The American Oaks (G1) at 10 furlongs on grass for
three-year-old fillies definitely boasted an international flavor as runners
came from all over the world to compete. The spoils in this contest went to a
deserving CESARIO (Jpn) (Special Week) from Japan, who decisively defeated the
previously unbeaten Melhor Ainda (Pulpit) by four lengths. While taking nothing
away from the winner, Melhor Ainda raced farther back than usual, which was the
result of a bit of an awkward start, and she was left with too much to ground to
make up in the stretch. Singhalese (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) made a threatening move around
the far turn, but failed to sustain that rally in a swiftly run final quarter
mile and ultimately finished third.
Sometimes, picking the winner of a particular race is not always brain surgery.
Sometimes, its just playing a hunch. Well, the hunch bet of the day on Sunday
had to be UNFURL THE FLAG (Bertrando) in the Triple Bend H.
(G1) at seven furlongs, especially with the July 4th holiday the following day. Nevertheless, Unfurl the Flag certainly had a license to win the Triple
Bend, having defeated state-bred stakes runners in his most recent start
and, prior to that, finishing a strong second in a Grade 2 event at Santa Anita.
Trained by David Bernstein, the winner overcame his extreme outside post to set
up shop on the front end and then responded willingly when headed on the far turn. He settled into the stretch with the lead, and was able
to maintain a safe advantage to the wire under jockey Corey Nakatani. Bear in
the Woods (Formal Gold) closed from the back of the pack to finish on even terms
for the place with McCann’s Mojave (Memo [Chi]).
INTERCONTINENTAL (GB) (Danehill), who I thought had a less than perfect trip
in the Just a Game Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at Belmont Park last month, enjoyed her return
trip to the West Coast as she annexed the Royal Heroine (G3) for
fillies and mares at a mile. Trained by Bobby Frankel, Intercontinental
was able to save valuable ground under Jerry Bailey down the backstretch
before being maneuvered off the inside to begin her bid in earnest on the far
turn. She then challenged for the lead and eventually edged away slowly to win
by 1 1/4 lengths. Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) rallied belatedly in the
stretch to out-finish Navaja (NZ) (Daggers Drawn) for the place.
On July 4th, LOUVAIN (Ire) (Sinndar), who was withdrawn
from the American Oaks by trainer Bobby Frankel, benefited
from that decision in registering a decisive
1 1/2-length win in the Flawlessly S. Sent off the 9-5 favorite, Louvain had to overcome a bit of trouble en route to her victory, as she was
forced to steady between rivals. She recovered nicely to win going away with
Royal Copenhagen (Fr) (Inchinor [GB]) finishing a head in front of Island Escape
(Petionville) for the place.
O’Neill has an 11-win edge over Mike Mitchell in the trainer
standings, as Vladimir Cerin dropped to third last week. Neil Drysdale holds
down the fourth spot with Steve Knapp and Jeff Mullins tied for fifth.
Garret Gomez has opened up a daylight lead in the jockey standings, and leads
both Victor Espinoza and Alex Solis by seven victories. Tyler Baze and Corey
Nakatani round out the top five.
Early speed did well on dirt for most of last week. On grass, speed also did
well early in the week and again on Sunday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/29)
4TH – DANCING EDIE (Moscow ballet) finished a good second in her turf debut off the bench
while adding blinkers. Stalked a very fast pace from her outside post and held
well chasing a wire-to-wire winner.
5TH – STARSTONE (Grindstone) showed a dramatic form reversal in his main track debut
on the drop. Exhibited much-improved speed to dispute the early pace and held
well.
Thursday (6/30)
4TH – BUENO INDIO (Chanate) recorded a creditable third-place finish chasing a well
bet/well meant dropdown winner who dominated the competition. Relinquished the
place late to a fresh closer. Has tactical speed and should benefit from his
initial effort at Hollywood Park.
6TH – BARTOK OF SIAM (Bartok) was an encouraging third in his career debut on turf.
Forced to rally in a race that quickened noticeably late. Both of his siblings
to race have won, and he should improve with age, experience and distance.
Friday (7/1)
1ST – AEBLUS (Rizzi) won the pace battle but lost the war to a perfect-trip
winner in his first start against multiple winners. He’s still eligible for softer
starter allowance company and appears to enjoy a battle for the lead.
5TH – AHURIRI HIKAWAI (NZ) (Exploding Prospect) came home an improved second dropping in
for a selling price in her first start for trainer John Sadler. Closed well
despite lacking racing room in the stretch.
Saturday (7/2)
1ST – GOOD COP BAD COP (Bertrando) was clearly second-best chasing home an
odds-on multi-level class dropper. Owns good tactical speed and does well at six
furlongs.
9TH – WHATA SOLDIER (Lost Soldier) crossed the wire a daylight winner in good time switching to
grass. Immediately seized the lead and was never seriously threatened. May have
been transformed into a different animal over the new surface with the addition
of blinkers.
Sunday (7/3)
6TH – Fourty Niners Son (Distorted Humor) recorded a creditable third-place finish
despite being ambitiously spotted. Continues to be a gem of consistency on grass
and would benefit from slightly softer competition.
8TH – MELHOR AINDA (Pulpit) was compromised by an awkward start behind a very
impressive winner in a swiftly run race. Forced to race from farther off the
pace and closed with good energy. Prefers to sit closer to the early
pacesetters.
9TH – SECRET CHARM (Ire) (Green Desert) unfortunately was hindered by a bit of a wide trip off
a prolonged layoff in her U.S. debut for trainer Neil Drysdale. Failed to
respond as the pace began to quicken around the far turn with the rustiness
starting to show. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort
while making just her second start versus older runners. Would profit from some
class relief as well.
Monday (7/4)
9TH – Royal Copenhagen finished a good second chasing home a Frankel
graded
winner. Hindered by an outside post in this start, the sophomore filly has yet to win in the
United States and would prosper with a slight class drop.