Hollywood Park’s 72nd spring/summer meet begins Thursday, and the 54-day
stand runs through July 17. The opening-day feature, the $70,000 Harry Henson,
has attracted a field of seven three-year-olds, perhaps most intriguingly Sinai
in his turf debut.
A good-looking debut maiden winner for Bob Baffert here over the Cushion
Track in December, Sinai has fared increasingly poorly in his subsequent three
starts. The gray was a solid third in the San Pedro, but retreated to a
well-beaten fifth in the Grade 2 San Vicente, and was virtually eased in his
only two-turn attempt in the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Sunland Derby.
Since Sinai flashed serious speed at Sunland before stopping, he figures to
profit by turning back in distance for the six-furlong Harry Henson. A bigger
question mark is his ability to handle the grass, but his broodmare sire,
European standout Machiavellian, is in his corner. Martin Garcia has the riding
assignment aboard the Zayat Stables colt, who will break from post 3.
Boxeur des Rues, possibly best known for bolting on the far turn in his
American bow in the Grade 1 Norfolk, makes his reappearance in this spot for
Doug O’Neill. In his only interim effort, he finished a closing fourth in the
Grade 3 Generous over the course.
Diamond Geezah (Ire), who has won two in a row on Santa Anita’s downhill
turf, aims to score first off the claim for Ted West, while Robie Cat, fourth to
Diamond Geezah last time, returns to the same course and distance as his
smashing maiden win. Also worthy of consideration are two Golden Gate shippers
with winning attitudes — the undefeated Gig Harbor and the streaking Ain’t No
Other, who bids for his fifth straight victory — but both are trying turf for
the first time.
The Harry Henson is just the appetizer for a $5.2 million stakes schedule,
highlighted by the Grade 1, $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 9 and the Grade
1, $250,000 American Oaks on July 16. There are 49 stakes on the calendar,
including seven Grade 1 events, 10 Grade 2 races and 10 Grade 3s. There are 10
days with multiple stakes races, commencing with the $785,000 California Gold
Rush Saturday.
In addition, overnight purses will rise, significantly for maiden special
weight, allowance races and starter allowance races, with some categories for
claimers higher than what was offered at the Santa Anita winter/spring meeting.
Overall, overnight purses will be approximately $290,000 to $300,000 per day,
16 to 20 percent higher than the $250,000 paid at the 2010 spring/summer
meeting, according to racing secretary Martin Panza.
Percentage-wise, the highest increases have come in allowance races and
starter allowance races. A first condition allowance race for sprinters will be
worth $52,000, an increase of $9,000 from last year. At the just-concluded Santa
Anita meeting, the same race was worth $56,000.
Starter allowance races for sprinters who won a maiden race for a maximum
claiming price of $40,000 ($50,000 for California-breds) and have not won twice
will be worth $35,000, an increase of $10,000 from the 2010 meeting, and $7,000
higher than at Santa Anita. In addition, a maiden race over a mile on turf at
Hollywood Park will carry a purse of $50,000, up from $42,000 last year, but
$4,000 less than what was offered at Santa Anita.
The condition book for the first three weeks of the Hollywood Park meeting
was released earlier this month, detailing the races expected likely to be run
from opening day to May 8. The increase in overnight purses is a result of 2010
legislation that raised the takeout on exotic wagers.
Panza said the increases are designed to retain horses that are being
considered for other circuits, perhaps attract additional horses to California,
and to help owners meet costs.
“We thought let’s give the starter a big purse, and let the maiden 25, 32 or
40 winner make some money,” he said. “We’ll see if people respond. Usually
people go where the money is, and hopefully this helps the owner out who has a
maiden claimer winner and don’t want to lose it.”
Purses are also higher for mid-level claimers, such as sprinters in $20,000
claimers who will run for a purse of $29,000, $2,000 higher than last year and
$4,000 higher than at Santa Anita.
After receiving approval from the California Horse Racing Board and the
Thoroughbred Owners of California, Hollywood Park will offer a reduced takeout
Player’s Pick 5 on its wagering menu beginning Thursday.
The Pick 5, which will have a takeout of 14 percent, the lowest for any
multiple race wager in California, will be a 50-cent minimum bet. It will
consist of the first five races daily.
There is a carryover provision with the Pick 5 if there are no perfect
tickets, with 70 percent of the net pool carrying over to the next racing day.
Formerly available on the first four races, the early Pick 4 will now cover
the 2ND through 5TH races. The late Pick 4 remains on the final four races.
Post time is 1 p.m. (PDT) Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays along with the
usual 7:05 p.m. start Friday nights. The lone Friday exception is a 1 p.m. start
May 6, Kentucky Oaks Day and the eve of Kentucky Derby Day.
There will be three other post time differences, all relating to the Triple
Crown. Post time will be 11 a.m. Kentucky Derby Day, May 7, as well as Preakness
Day (May 21) and Belmont Stakes Day (June 11).
There are two deviations from the usual Thursday-Sunday schedule. Hollywood
Park will have Monday racing May 30 (Memorial Day) and July 4.
Regular prices are $8 for general admission and $20 for Turf Club. Seniors 55
and older will receive a $3 discount, with Gold Club card, Thursdays. All prices
include parking and an official program.
Sunday marks the first Vegas Gold Handicapping contest, which will continue
every Sunday throughout the season. The fee to participate is $70 — $20 to
enter and a $50 live money bankroll to make contest card wagers. All contestants
must wager exactly $5 win and place ($10 total) on one horse in any five live
races at Hollywood Park. The player with the largest bankroll after the final
Hollywood Park race is official is the winner.
There is a $1,000 weekly prize for the highest final bankroll, $500 for
second highest and $250 to the third highest bankroll. Each of the top five
finishers weekly qualify for the final round July 17. The top finisher in the
final round will receive an entry in the 2012 Daily Racing Form/National
Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.
The grand prize also includes travel and hotel accommodations.
Those interested can enter at the Contest Central booth on the second floor
of the grandstand across from the main customer service booth. For complete
rules and information, visit any customer service booth or go on-line at
www.hollywoodpark.com.