HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
JUNE 18, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded events highlighted the weekend at Hollywood Park.
Californian S. (G2): Sarno et al’s INFORMED (Tiznow), a former $20,000 claimer, saved his best for
the end beneath Tyler Baze to pull off the upset in here for conditioner Doug O’Neill. The five-year-old bay drilled nine furlongs on the Cushion Track in 1:48
1/5 to earn his first stakes win.
Round Table H. (G3): Seidler and Vegso’s OBRIGADO (Fr) (Enrique) circled the field turning for
home and powered home an emphatic, 3 1/4-length winner in this one for Neil
Drysdale. Piloted by Joel Rosario, the gelded six-year-old went 1 3/4 miles on the
firm lawn in 2:54 2/5.
Track Stats:
From a total of 36 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
four-day week, favorites won at a 17 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 47 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on the
Cushion Track oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while
three of the 10 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (30 percent).
Both ovals continue to be consistent in our opinion, with speed being supreme on
both surfaces. Six horses breaking from the rail won during the week, including
four on Saturday, but all but two of those wins came in grass events. Middle
posts were good through Saturday, winning 14 of the 30 races.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 308 | |
| CUSHION TRACK: | 226 | |
| TURF: | 82 | |
| FAVORITES: | 100 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 81 (26 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 25 (30 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 65 (29 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 51 | |
| 1-3: | 132 | |
| 4-6: | 112 | |
| 7-out: | 64 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/11)
5TH — We really liked the effort by METEORE (Pulpit) in his previous start and
he made us look good with a return win for Richard Mandella, closing fast to
finish this grass test in a swift time. The sophomore is peaking at the right
time and appears to be stakes quality.
7TH — REPO (In Excess [Ire]) didn’t break that well and was a
little green in this one, but the juvenile miss impressed with her runner-up
showing, nonetheless. The Doug O’Neill trainee should be live in her return.
Friday (6/12)
3RD — We have a hunch that Mike Mitchell will turn ISIPINGO (Horse Chestnut
[SAf]) around after some average showings as of late. The once quality performer
might need a change of scenery.
7TH — GOLDEN ROCKETSHIP (Muqtarib) showed a lot of tenacity in
running down the leader late in here for John Sadler, finishing off six panels
in a brisk 1:08 3/5. The California-bred might be able to get up to a mile if
his connections wish to stretch him out.
Saturday (6/13)
7TH — I’LL SHOW THEM (Smarty Jones) is bred to be a very good one
and he appears to be living up to his lineage with a flying finish for David Hofmans. The debuting three-year-old should run longer and could be any kind.
We tabbed GALLATIN’S RUN (Alke) after his solid debut and the Mike Puype
pupil ran a winning race in defeat in this one. The sophomore was 6 3/4 lengths
clear of third and shouldn’t be a maiden for long.
9TH — DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata) is as consistent as they come, and
while the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee is far from a win machine, the colt always
closes against solid foes.
Sunday (6/14)
2ND — GOOD NIGHT GYRENE (Skimming) was much the best in here at first asking
for Darrell Vienna, rolling home late to a daylight win under Garrett Gomez.
Veinna knows how to keep a horse good, so we expect this one to be a major force
in the starter allowance ranks this summer.
4TH — COCO BELLE (Storm Boot) is in fine form and looked superb in
the latter stages of this dash for Sadler, pulling away with every stride
beneath Mike Smith. The talented mare would have topped most horses on the West
Coast with this effort.
8TH — NIKKI’SGOLDENSTEED (Formal Gold) once appeared to be a
stayer, but the gelding might have found a little niche as a closing sprinter
for Bob Hess Jr. The four-year-old finished in front of some fine one-turn
runners in here and warrants respect next out.
A Look Ahead
Saturdays $100,000 Affirmed H. (G3) and Sunday’s $100,000 Cinema H. (G3) are the
weekend co-features at Hollywood Park.