HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 19, 2008
by John Mucciolo
The lucrative Hollywood Starlet (G1) was the main attraction during the
penultimate week at Hollywood Park.
Hollywood Starlet S. (G1): IEAH Stables et al’s LARAGH (Tapit) used
her speed advantage to the fullest in wiring this field for trainer John Terranova,
holding off a spirited run from Wynning Ride (Candy Ride [Arg]) late. The speedy gray completed 1 1/16 miles on the Cushion
Track in 1:41 4/5 under Edgar Prado,
bagging her initial graded race along the way.
Track Stats
From a total of 43 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the week,
favorites won at a 42-percent clip and the top-two betting choices combined for
70 percent of the wins. From 33 frays contested on the main oval, nine animals
won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while two of the 10 grassy tussles
went all the way on the lead (20 percent).
Speed dominated the action on Saturday, with four wire-to-wire winners on the
main strip and two more on the lawn. I claim that each of those had every right
to win their respective races, and if there was a bias, it was subtle.
Sunday’s card was comprised of nine races, each winner coming as the first or
second betting choice. Although it’s a wager that is far from popular, it seemed
generous that the Place Pick All returned $1,720 for a $1 investment.
We need to praise jockey Rafael Bejarano, who continues to thrive in the
Golden State. While we acknowledge that the rising star often gets very live
mounts, he still makes a big difference. We saw on more than one occasion where
a race could have easily gone another way, but his timing and finishing ability
got his mount to the line first. He gives us total confidence when backing him.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 301 | |
| CUSHION TRACK: | 221 | |
| TURF: | 80 | |
| FAVORITES: | 97 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 60 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 20 (25 percent) | |
| CUSHION TRACK WIRE: | 63 (28 percent) |
Post Positions (wins)
| RAIL: | 46 | |
| 1-3: | 134 | |
| 4-6: | 117 | |
| 7-out: | 50 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (12/10)
7TH — DELTA STORM (Storm Boot) completed his final quarter-mile in :22 1/5
for Mike Mitchell and proved once again that he’s just a little too good against
this type of race.
Thursday (12/11)
4TH — CALL ALY (Nineeleven) returned from a lengthy break to finish a smart
second in this one, and the juvenile miss should be in the winners’ circle
following her next event.
7TH — LUCKY HONEY (Lit de Justice) was an unlucky second to a nice horse,
and this Mitchell trainee is in very good form at this juncture. The
three-year-old colt was five lengths clear of third, and the pacesetter
completed his final five-sixteenths in :30 1/5 — solid.
Friday (12/12)
7TH — LIMESTONE EDGE (Cat Thief) surely needed this race and should move
considerably forward for Bob Hess Jr. following this test. The sophomore
rallied well into a tepid pace and finished a clear third while suggesting that
he can go farther.
Saturday (12/13)
4TH — LOVE TO SIPHON (Siphon [Brz]) surprised us with her easy tally in here
for Bob Baffert, as we thought the miss beat nothing in her maiden score. In
this grass affair, the rapidly improving filly kicked away nice from a mediocre
bunch but impressed nonetheless. She’s never been better and could offer good
value once again.
5TH — DOC ON THE ROCK (Snow Ridge) proved that the main oval is his
preferred surface, as he return from the break with a facile tally for Kristin
Mulhall. We were a bit surprised that no one dropped their name into the
claiming hat prior to this race, and these connections are probably thrilled
that they could retain this speedster.
7TH — LEMON SUPREME (Lemon Drop Kid) may have been the most impressive horse
I witnessed all week, and the Chris Paasch trainee appears to have an extremely
high ceiling. In her debut versus winners, the talented miss simply outclassed
this useful bunch late under a confident ride by Joel Rosario. She could be
special.
8TH — John Sadler might have found a good one in ICEMANCOMETH (Ire) (Marju),
who made a believer out of me following this score. The gelding flew early,
dueled on the front, was passed turning for home, drifted wide in the lane —
and still came out 1 1/4 lengths to the good. We can’t imagine many having success
claiming off Mitchell, but if anyone out here can pull it off it’s Sadler.
9TH — Wynning Ride saved ground and never appeared to be getting Laragh, but
the Baffert pupil displayed nice rating tactics and a good turn of foot in
this affair. We weren’t floored with the fractional and final times of the race,
but the top two were visibly impressive.
Sunday (12/14)
1ST — ENCHANTING MOMENT (Mizzen Mast) was hammered at the windows early and
deservedly so, as the three-year-old filly made quick work of this compact
field. This gray displayed a deadly turn of foot in the stretch, and we strongly
suggest keeping an eye on this one as she has a potentially nice future.
7TH — The once highly regarded BOOTED (A.P. Indy) ran huge in this grass
dash, reeling in a clear No Prodigal (In Excess [Ire]) to break his maiden for
Richard Mandella. We will surely play this one back at a fair price in his debut
versus winners.
A Look Ahead
The closing weekend at Hollywood will feature the $750,000 CashCall Futurity
(G1) on Saturday and the $150,000 Dahlia H. (G2) on Sunday.