HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK
MAY 12, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Well, the big news in California over the weekend was NOT who won the weekend
stakes races, but who managed to come out on top in some inconsequential race
named the Kentucky Derby (G1).
All spring, many of the so-called experts believed that the West Coast form
was rather suspect, at best. But, after the dust had cleared at Churchill Downs
on Saturday afternoon, crossing the finish line first was John Shirreffs trainee GIACOMO
(Holy Bull), who shocked the racing world at odds of 50-1 with his
victory. Given little chance of winning this prestigious race, Giacomo was able
to take full advantage of a very hot and contentious pace, rallying in the final
furlong to emerge victorious in the Run for the Roses. Congratulations to him
and his connections on their amazing triumph!
The gods of racing continued to look down favorably on trainer John Shirreffs on Derby Day as he sent out HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush) in the Hawthorne H. (G3),
a race for fillies and mares three-years-old and up at 1 1/16 miles. It wouldn’t
be a Sunday walk in the park for Hollywood Story, as she clipped the
heels of another rival heading into the first turn and nearly fell. However,
jockey Victor Espinoza kept the pair upright as they went on to post a popular
victory as the odds-on favorite in the race. Siphon Honey (Siphon) finished
second after setting a lively pace on the front end under Julio Garcia, yielding
only to the winner. House of Fortune (Free House) went after the pacesetter in
the stretch, was unable to sustain her rally and finished third.
This victory marked Hollywood Story’s third win over the Hollywood Park main
track. The winner was saddled by Michelle Jensen, an assistant to Shirreffs, who
was busy saddling some horse in Kentucky on Saturday.
Younger distaffers took to the Hollywood Park grass course to contest the
Senorita S. (G3) at one mile. Shining Energy (Rahy) was bet down to slight
favoritism in the race, but it would be the rank outsider VIRDEN (Tactical Cat)
who would take down the victory, coming out on top in a tight photo. The winner,
who had raced exclusively at Turf Paradise until this point, set up shop on the
front end under jockey Omar Figueroa, who was aboard for the first time.
Figueroa set a controlled pace on the front end and, as a result, was able to
hold off the late charge of Three Degrees (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]). The runner-up
did not have a single horse beaten at the six-furlong marker, but leveled off
suddenly thereafter, closing with good energy to just miss as the wire came up
too quickly. Thatswhatimean (Belong to Me) was with the pace from the outset,
but lacked the necessary punch in the stretch, getting the nod for the show over
Unusual Spring (Unusual Heat).
Virden’s victory was the biggest in her career, although she is a stakes
winner on dirt in Arizona. She is conditioned by Dan McFarlane, one of the top
trainers on that circuit.
Espinoza holds a one-win lead over Garrett Gomez in the jockey
standings. Tyler Baze, Rene Douglas and Jon Court are embroiled in a three-way
battle for third, as each rider has 8 victories to his credit.
Doug O’Neill and Vladimir Cerin are tied for leading trainer honors. Bob
Baffert, Neil Drysdale and Sanford Shulman are locked in a dead heat for third
place on the list.
Speed did well over the main track thru Friday, but the track did appear to
play somewhat more uniformly over the weekend. The outside paths were definitely
the place to be on Friday. The grass course played to closers and stalkers on
Wednesday, and then played fairly for the next two days. Early speed ruled over
the turf on the weekend, with all four route contests going to wire-to-wire
winners. The lone turf sprint during that period went to a favorite who closed
from off the pace to win.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/4)
3RD – CALIFORNIA THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) showed dramatic improvement
returning to the Hollywood Park turf course without the hood on. Outran his 59-1
odds to finish with interest, just missing the place as the race quickened late.
5TH – AWESOME LADY (Bianconi) was a strong third returning to a turf sprint.
Held well stalking a fast pace and gave ground grudgingly late. Doesn’t need to
have the lead.
8TH – VERY PERSUASIVE (In Excess [Ire]) gave a useful effort in his well-bet
debut from a low percentage trainer with a top grass rider up. Raced in cramped
quarters before rallying to gain the show. Lone sibling to try grass won her
debut effort over that surface. Bred for the weeds and to win early in his
career.
Thursday (5/5)
2ND – STARKAY (NZ) (Towkay) was a decisive winner in good time. Disposed of
early pace pressure and drew clear switching to Hollywood. May be able to step
up off this victory.
Friday (5/6)
3RD – PROUD PHIL (Tricky Creek) exhibited much-improved speed while meeting
four-year-olds with blinkers on. Set a fast pace along the deeper inside before
yielding to the winning favorite. Eligible for a softer spot and would
appreciate a cutback in distance.
4TH – HOTEL HALL (Ire) (Cozzene) notched a fine tactical win switching back
to dirt on the drop for Mitchell. Fits well at the 32K claiming level.
Saturday (5/7)
3RD – TALENTED PERFORMER (State Performer) displayed dramatic reversal in
form in her second start with a good beginning. Exhibited much-improved speed to
vie for the lead with an odds-on winner dropping from the MSW level. Did well to
finish third.
6TH – TALKING TO JOHN (Souvenir Copy) finished a fine second stretching out
to a flat mile. Saddled with a tough task trying to rally behind a lackluster
pace over a speed-conducive course.
8TH – SIPHON HONEY (Siphon [Brz]) was ambitiously spotted stepping up and
stretching out. Held extremely well to finish second to a Grade 1 stakes-winning
favorite. Would benefit from some class relief and maybe a cutback in distance
as both wins thus far have come in sprints.
Sunday (5/8)
2ND – SKIPPING COURT (Doneraile Court) clearly prefers the main track. Good
effort returning to Hollywood and dropping. Forced inward at the start.
Recovered to track the early pace and finished with good energy to be a clear
second.
4TH – GOLD VALUE (Formal Gold) showed improvement in his second career effort
while stepping up a notch. Dueled head and head for the lead exhibiting much
improved speed before understandably wilting in the stretch. A drop to basement
level maiden claimers and a cutback in distance would be a definite plus.
7TH – THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) was allowed to lag too far behind
modest fractions on a turf course playing to speed. Nevertheless rallied and
almost ran down the front runner who went unchallenged on the lead.