HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK
MAY 19, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Hollywood Park presented three graded races on Saturday, with jockey Alex
Solis turning heads at the track as he rode the winner in all three races.
Solis’ first victory came in the Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) when he piloted the 1-5
favorite, SURF CAT (Sir Cat), to a decisive 3 1/2-length triumph. The Bruce
Headley-trained runner trailed the field early on, but began to make his
presence felt around the far turn. He made a bid to challenge the pacesetting
Spellbinder (Tale of the Cat) in the stretch, and then proceeded to run clear of
that rival while winning by a daylight margin. Spellbinder set a pressured pace
and held well in the stretch once displaced on the lead by the winner to finish
second. Dixie Meister (Holzmeister) raced within striking distance of the lead
down the backstretch, but was unable to improve his position in the stretch and
settled for the show.
In the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2), Irish shipper GREY SWALLOW (Ire) (Daylami
[Ire]) easily disposed of four rivals as he posted a dominating five-length
victory. Content to stalk the snail-like fractions laid down by Brecon Beacon
(GB) (Spectrum), Grey Swallow wrestled the lead away from the front runner in
the stretch, and then drew clear to win by a comfortable margin. Brecon Beacon
finished with good energy for the runner-up spot, with Runaway Dancer (Runaway
Groom) a length farther back in third. One Off (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) took up a
position just off the deliberate pace, and attempted to rally as the pace
quickened. He failed to sustain his bid and began to drop back around the far
turn, finishing last as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering.
Solis capped an already memorable day when he scored a hat trick by piloting
SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) to victory in the Los Angeles H. (G3). Switching
back to the main track, the five-year-old Siren Lure leveled off nicely leaving
the turn despite being squeezed back at the break. He sustained that rally upon
entering the stretch, picking off the leaders to win going away by one length. Areyoutalkintome (Smokester) battled for the lead throughout, and finished
gamely to take down the place over pace nemesis Prorunner (Tejano Run). Cigar
Pal (Benchmark) raced lethargically during the early stages of the race and
subsequently failed to make an impact, checking in a disappointing fifth.
Thunder Touch (Gulch), returning from a layoff, raced wide chasing the pace and
tired in a much needed effort.
On Sunday, Solis was shut out in the Alydar S., mainly because he did not have
a mount in the race.
Longshot BLAZING SUNSET (Talk Is Money) was able to set up shop on the front
end and dictated a rather ordinary pace. As a result of the modest fractions and
the speed favoring nature of the track, he was able to wire the field at 10-1
odds. Neko Bay (Giant’s Causeway) had his chances compromised when he bobbled at
the start. Nevertheless, he rallied from last place to chase the winner home in
the stretch while clearly second best. Greedy Way (Skip Away) stalked the
front-running winner to midstretch before tiring and finishing third.
Victor Espinoza continues to lead all jockeys, with Pat Valenzuela moving
into second place last week. Tyler Baze rounds out the top three.
Doug O’Neill and Jeff Mullins share first-place in the trainer standings,
with Vladimir Cerin holding onto the third spot.
Early speed dominated the results on the main track last week to varying
degrees. The inside paths appeared to hold an edge over the weekend. There did
not appear to be any pronounced biases on the grass all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/10)
3RD – SNODEN (Memo [Chi]) set a very enterprising pace before tiring in the
stretch off a two-month break. He has two siblings who won on turf and may be
better suited to a turf sprint.
4TH – COUNTY (Menifee) closed well to get the place despite a modest pace
over a speed biased course. The dark bay’s best efforts have come at Hollywood
Park and he should move forward off this effort.
Thursday (5/11)
4th – ROYAL B (Red) was a strong fourth in her Hollywood Park debut effort.
The Turf Paradise runner dueled for the lead until midstretch before tiring. She
bears watching in the future, especially if entered back for a claiming price.
5TH – ANDOVER THE CASH (Unusual Heat) dispensed her best effort to date
tackling Cal-bred maiden special weight runners. Forced to steady early on to
avoid clipping a rival’s heels, the chestnut miss finished well between runners
when rallying to get a ‘close-up’ third, just missing second by a nose. She
seems fond of this course and can improve with clear sailing.
Friday (5/12)
4TH – NOSEY BRITCHES (Matty G) put forth a useful effort returning from a
layoff. She gave futile chase to superior speed and continued on well while
second best. The bay lass should have derived beneficial conditioning from this
race.
7TH – STARKAY (NZ) (Towkay) wilted on the lead setting a hot and pressured
pace, suffering her first defeat over the Hollywood Park grass course. She has
won without the lead in the past.
Saturday (5/13)
5TH – SIXCESS (In Excess [Ire]) displayed an encouraging effort in his well
bet/well meant debut. The bay raced evenly late to finish third in a race that
was quick throughout. A full brother to stakes winning Texcess, he will probably
be at his best over a route of ground.
9TH – Prorunner ran well despite becoming embroiled in a hotly contested
battle for the lead. The Turf Paradise shipper held gamely to the finish, just
missing the place by a neck. He appears to be at his best when able to stalk the
pace.
Sunday (5/14)
8TH – Neko Bay was a troubled second stepping up and stretching out.
Compromised when bobbling at the start, he closed well late despite a modest
pace set by a loose front runner, and should continue to move forward with age
and experience.