HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
JUNE 27, 2008
by John Mucciolo
A single graded stakes event took place at Hollywood Park over the weekend.
Cinema H. (G3): Diamond A Racing’s homebred TIZ WEST (Gone West)
showed a great deal of heart in holding off Ez Dreamer (In Excess [Ire]) in the
final stages to earn his initial stakes win for Richard Mandella. The talented
sophomore, who had to endure a decision by the stewards, negotiated nine panels
on the firm lawn in 1:47 1/5 under Victor Espinoza.
Track Stats
From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack
during the week, favorites won at a 28 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 45 percent of the wins. From 28 frays contested on the
Cushion Track, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while four
of the 14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (29 percent).
The rail contributed just two wins from 42 events during the week, a
surprisingly low number at this venue. Prior to the last five days, horses
breaking from the innermost position were winning at a 14 percent rate.
We thought that being inside on the Friday evening card was advantageous, and
three of the six main-track events were taken all the way on the lead. Turf
sprints are still treating early types well.
Meet Totals
|
RACES: |
|
388 |
|
DIRT: |
|
276 |
|
TURF: |
|
112 |
|
FAVORITES: |
|
130 (34 percent) |
|
2ND CHOICES: |
|
87 (22 percent) |
|
TURF WIRE: |
|
20 (18 percent) |
|
DIRT WIRE: |
|
48 (17 percent) |
Post Positions (wins)
|
RAIL: |
|
52 (13 percent) |
|
1-3: |
|
154 (40 percent) |
|
4-6: |
|
128 (33 percent) |
|
7-out: |
|
106 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/18)
6TH – NATIONAL HOLIDAY (Harlan’s Holiday) really improved in here for Marty
Jones, going last-to-first in a fine showing on this day under Joe Talamo. The
sophomore colt recorded a final quarter-mile in a sharp :24 and could be a big
threat in his return engagement.
Friday (6/20)
5TH – DANCES WITH TIGERS (Hold That Tiger) closed best of the rest behind a
wire-to-wire winner in here, and the Eric Kruljac trainee might be a square
price once again when she reappears.
8TH – FREEBIEHADTHEMOVES (Free House) drew off like a good thing in here and
is a serious win-back threat for trainer Jorge Alcala. Not too many maidens are
winning by nine while clocking six furlongs in 1:09 under moderate urging.
Saturday (6/21)
6TH – ISLA HOMBRES (Hold for Gold) showed good early tempo here but proved
that he wanted no part of a mile after tiring badly late for Marcelo Polanco.
The gelded sophomore could be a sleeper at big odds on the cut back to
sprinting, either on the lawn or Cushion oval.
8TH – QUICK ENOUGH (High Brite) was always best in here and has turned out to
be a super claim by Ron Ellis. The in-form turf sprinter went six panels in 1:08
4/5 while dominating his questionable foes, and he should be especially tough
versus state-bred foes in the stakes ranks.
9TH – A LIL DUMAANI (Dumaani) showed marked improvement on the drop to maiden
claimers in this dash, and the three-year-old will graduate before long for
conditioner Doug O’Neill.
Sunday (6/22)
6TH – ALL THE LOVE (Malabar Gold) had flashed brilliant works in advance of
her debut for Bruce Headley and deserves a second chance after finishing fifth
behind this decent cast. The three-year-old filly broke tardily and should
improve with this race under her belt.
8TH – We didn’t expect to see such an easy win by DAWN BEFORE DAWN (High
Yield) in this grass test, but the John Sadler trainee should not be quickly
castoff if thinks this race was false. The miss has always shown speed in the
past and the addition of blinkers may have flipped the switch for her.
9TH – VICTORY DANCER (Victory Gallop) looked good in the latter stages of
this race for Bob Baffert and likely won’t be a maiden for long. The first-timer
is bred to run a mile or more and should be especially tough in her subsequent
try.
A Look Ahead
Hollywood Gold Cup Day is upon us, headlining a top weekend of racing in the
Golden State. The centerpiece, the $750,000 Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles, is likely
to be led by the West Coast’s top handicap runner, Heatseeker (Ire) (Giant’s
Causeway).
Also on the Saturday card is the $250,000 American H. (G3), $150,000 A Gleam
Invitational H. (G2) and $100,000 Landaluce S. The Sunday feature is the
$150,000 Beverly Hills H. (G2) for fillies and mares traveling 10 furlongs on
the sod.