HOLLYWOOD
NOTEBOOK
November 25
by Bernard T. Moore
The focal point of the Hollywood Park autumn meet, its Autumn
Turf Festival, is upon us. During the festival of racing, four
Grade 1 grass events are run and two other graded turf contests.
Trainer Dermot Weld, who is based in Ireland and respected
worldwide, is planning on sending three runners from overseas to
compete. New York-based trainer Todd Pletcher will have
representatives in the Turf Festival as well, along with such
California mainstays Bobby Frankel and Julio Canani.
Hollywood Park fans may have gotten a glimpse of a burgeoning
star when unbeaten DECLAN’S MOON (Malibu Moon) made his long
awaited return to competition in the Hollywood Prevue S. (G3)
this past Saturday. Trained by Ron Ellis, the juvenile colt did
not disappoint. He had the look of a winner virtually every step
of the way while soundly defeating the competition, running seven
furlongs in a sprightly 1:21.74.
Returning from a layoff, Declan’s Moon was never asked for his
best during any point in the race by jockey Victor Espinoza. He
relaxed nicely while stalking the early pace set by Bushwacker (Outflanker)
and shortly after the field entered the stretch, displaced the
subsequent runner-up while on cruise control en route to an
effortless two-length victory. According to Ellis, the race
should set his prized two-year-old gelding up perfectly for the
Hollywood Futurity (G1) on December 18, which will be his first
start around two turns.
The Futurity has been Declan’s Moon’s ultimate goal since
defeating Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus) in the Del Mar Futurity
(G2) in early September. Bushwacker ran creditably in his main
track debut while equipped with blinkers for the first time in
the Prevue. He held on tenaciously to finish a head in front of
Seize the Day (Montbrook), who was the second choice in the
wagering.
In the $100,000 Moccasin S. for two-year-old fillies Sunday,
NO BULL BABY (Indian Charlie) overcame a less than ideal trip to
win by a half-length. Trained by Bob Baffert, the winner was
caught behind a phalanx of horses on the far turn. Tyler Baze
maneuvered her to the outside for racing room, and once he was in
the clear, No Bull Baby kicked into gear to wear down Short Route
(Mud Route), who was very game in defeat.
This was Baffert’s second Moccasin success in a row, as he won
last year’s running with Victory U.S.A. (Victory Gallop). She’s a
Jewel (Successful Appeal) held on for third after disputing the
early fractions.
Speed runners did well over the main track on Thursday and
Saturday, but the rest of the week appeared to be bias free. The
outside paths seemed preferable on Wednesday, and there was no
perceivable path bias the remainder of the week. The turf course
played uniformly all week despite overnight rain on Saturday.
Not much changed in the trainer standings as Doug O’Neill
continues to hold down the top spot, boasting a two-win lead over
Baffert. John Sheriffs is third on the list, and his barn is on
“fire” of late. Mike Harrington has cooled off a bit
since his fast start at Hollywood, but he remains in the top
five, tied for fourth on the list with trainer John Sadler.
Rene Douglas now has sole possession of first place in the
jockey’s standings, holding a four-victory edge over Espinoza.
Baze, David Flores, Felipe Martinez, Corey Nakatani are all
within shouting distance of the leaders.
HANDICAPPER’S NOTE: A small factoid to bear
in mind when handicapping the grass races for the Autumn Turf
festival this week, runners departing from the rail sport a gaudy
28 percent strike rate. When post 2 is factored into the
equation, the win percentage rises to a lofty 41 percent.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/17)
3RD – SEATTLE SOUVENIR (Souvenir Copy) broke a tad slowly from
the gate and was checked shortly thereafter as well, costing him
two lengths. He rallied on the turn and into the stretch, racing
outside of rivals to finish evenly late. Should have derived
beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort, and may
be better suited to routes or turf in future races.
6TH – MINISTER ERIC (Old Trieste) turned in useful return to
competition off a prolonged layoff. Dispensed a solid rally into
the stretch, but could not sustain that run while switching back
to his wrong lead late.
Thursday (11/18)
9TH – TO BE OR NOT (Tom Cruiser) ran exceptionally well for
second while stepping up in class. Allowed to lag too far behind
early, he was compromised by an indecisive ride on the far turn
and weak handling in the midst of a rally. Closed with good
energy and it appears to need a dry track to be at his best.
Friday (11/19)
2ND – MONTANA DEPUTY (French Deputy) easily handled an
overmatched field of 50K three-year-old claimers on the drop.
Could win right back at this level, or possibly handle a slight
class rise if properly spotted in his next start.
4TH – ANEARLYFIL (Score Early) showed vast improvement off
nearly a year layoff. Exhibited surprise speed to chase the early
pace and was “trapped” behind the front-runners on the
turn and into the stretch before attempting to rally. Angled out
sharply in midstretch, She lost valuable momentum, which probably
cost her second money.
9TH – OREANDA (Stravinsky) broke sharply and was then “wrestled
back” to run from off the pace. Did not respond well at all
to rating tactics, fighting her rider while very headstrong early.
A natural speed runner, she was completely taken out of her
comfort zone. Also, appeared to loathe being pinned down along
the inside.
Saturday (11/20)
5TH – MARTINBLESTME (Benchmark) offered a very strong effort
to finish second, losing an extremely tight photo for the win.
Raced a bit wide stalking the pace over a track favoring speed
near the rail and remained outside of rivals through the stretch,
battling gamely to the wire. Dispensed a vastly improved effort
on the drop, switching to Hollywood Park and turning back to a
sprint. Seems to run well here.
7TH – LOUCAMANIA (Brz) (Candy Stripes) was mysteriously bet
down to 3-1 favoritism off a nondescript U.S. debut. Caught
behind a slow pace and a wall horses attempting to rally while
full of run, she finally angled outside of horses in midstretch
and flew home for second while galloping out very strongly past
the wire.
Sunday (11/21)
7TH – EXCLUSIVE DEPOSIT (Deposit Ticket) received a useful
sprint sharpener off a long layoff. Closed with interest late
going 5 1/2 furlongs, which is not her best distance. Expect to
see her stretched out to a route of ground in subsequent starts
for top trainer.