HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK
MAY 20, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
There was plenty of graded action this past weekend at Hollywood Park,
as three such contests were run on the Saturday card. The first such race was
the Los Angeles Times H. (G3) for older runners at six furlongs. FOREST
GROVE (Forestry), making his Hollywood Park debut for trainer Eoin Harty,
benefited from a smart ride from jockey Corey Nakatani in addition to a ground-saving trip to post a well-deserved
three-quarter of a length victory. Forest Grove
broke a bit slowly from the gate, but was able to recover to stalk the early
pace along the inside racing down the backstretch. He continued to save valuable
ground around the far turn and eventually spurted away to a daylight lead in
the stretch, withstanding a late rally from Areyoutalkintome (Smokester). The
runner-up was compromised somewhat by a bit of wide trip, but nevertheless
closed determinedly in a sharp effort. Woke Up Dreamin (Holy Bull) disputed the
pace from the outset and held well to finish third, a length behind the second-place finisher.
RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom) dispatched at odds of 17-1, closed like a 3-5
shot in the stretch to win the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G3) at 12
furlongs on grass. Not even a pedestrian pace could deter the Dan Hendricks-trained runner, who rallied strongly into a fast final quarter to win going
away. Trailing the field for the better part of the race, the winner leveled off
nicely in stretch, and overhauled Vangelis (Highest Honor [Fr]), who had secured a
daylight lead in midstretch. The second-place finisher appeared on his way to
victory after gaining the lead in the stretch, but could not withstand the
winner’s late rally. Exterior (Distant View), the 2-1 favorite, improved
his position upon entering the stretch, but was unable to muster a sufficient
closing kick late and wound up settling for third.
This victory marked Runaway Dancer’s first winning effort since 2003 in the
Carleton F. Burke H. (G3) at Santa Anita, which was also at
1 1/2 miles. No concrete plans have been made concerning Runaway Dancer’s next
start.
ACE BLUE (Brz) (Coax Me Clyde) has taken some time to acclimate himself to
racing in the United States. However, he demonstrated he has finally gotten the hang of it
now, stepping up in class to emerge victorious in the Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2)
at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Ace Blue, a forward factor from the outset, hounded the
pacesetting Ender’s Shadow (A.P. Indy) down the backstretch. The front runner was unwilling
to throw in the towel, as both runners raced as a team virtually throughout the
race. Ace Blue was finally able to assert himself a bit more than the runner-up,
putting his head in front at the wire over Ender’s Shadow, who had to endure a
heartbreaking defeat. Borrego (El Prado [Ire]), sent off as the favorite in the race,
sat a good trip off the dueling pacesetters and was gaining ground on those
rivals late, but his rally fell short as he was beaten a head and a neck for all
the money.
Juvenile fillies took center stage on Sunday, with nine runners contesting
the Nursery S. As is the case with most baby races, they are won on the
front end. And the Nursery was no different as LIL’ SISTER SWISS
(Swiss Yodeler) proved to be a worthy odds-on favorite as she posted a decisive
two-length victory. The winner is bred, owned and trained by Patricia
Harrington. Walkonkaydeeavenue (Avenue of Flags) chased the winner throughout
and held for second over Slick Road (Mud Route).
Doug O’Neill and Vladimir Cerin remain deadlocked for first in the trainer
standings. Bob Baffert continues to hold down the third spot, with five trainers
in a dead heat for fourth.
Garret Gomez leads all jockeys, with Victor Espinoza trailing by only one
win. Rene Douglas is a distant third, and there is a three-way battle for the
fourth spot.
The main track seemed to play fair all week as did the turf course. The
outside paths appeared to be best on Friday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/11)
3RD – TAKE A CHANCE (Petionville) showed good effort making his second start off the layoff
and stretching out. May have made a premature middle move to gain a clear lead,
only to give ground grudgingly to a closer. Should have derived beneficial
conditioning from this effort.
5TH – VENCEDORA AMIGA (Broad Brush) was compromised by a pedestrian pace on the
front end. Needs a livelier pace scenario to demonstrate her best effort.
Thursday (5/12)
3RD – NEW YORK DANCER (Dance Floor) was hard used setting a quick and pressured
pace from the rail at seven furlongs off the shelf. Is eligible for a starters allowance
event and would also benefit from a cutback in distance.
7TH – SIPHONIZER (Siphon) recorded a useful third-place finish tracking a very quick
pace. Ultimately proved no match for a wire-to-wire Grade 2 stakes- placed winner
dropping down. Appears better-suited to six furlongs.
Friday (5/13)
5TH – IT’S QUITE UNUSUAL (Unusual Heat) used the wrong tactics in his first start against
winners off a freshening. Chased a very fast pace and wilted in the stretch.
Prefers to sit and make one run and may like a flat mile better.
7TH – DOMAINE (Hussonet) finished clearly a tad short in her U. S unveiling ‘under the
lights’ off a prolonged layoff for Bobby Frankel. Stalked the pacesetter to the far
turn before retreating. Should move forward in second start off the shelf with Lasix.
Saturday (5/14)
4TH – AREYOUTALKINTOME (Smokester) was a much-improved second cutting back in distance
and switching to Rene Douglas. Overcame a bit of a wide trip and finished gamely,
reducing his deficit against a ground saving winner. Has never finished
out-of-the money at six furlongs, and is ultra consistent when spotted properly.
6TH – VANGELIS (Highest Honor [Fr]) had the look of a sure winner in the stretch
with the hood removed returning from a layoff for Frankel. Drove to a clear lead
in midstretch only to have his rustiness start to show late. A Group 2 winner
overseas, he should annex his initial North American victory soon.
Sunday (5/15)
1ST – BRATISLAVA (Awesome Again) used this one as an ‘Education race’ in well-bet debut for a
trainer and a sire that do not excel with debut runners. Allowed to race near
the back of the pack early and finished evenly. A half-sister to the Grade 2-winning Eurosilver
(Unbridled’s Song), impending improvement is likely and it may come at a
distance of ground as her sire and dam flourished in route races.
4TH – JOHNNY RED KERR (Mr. Greeley) turned in a useful second-place finish off the shelf.
Did not come away from the gate all that sharply from an outside post. Managed
to finish with good energy late, gaining the place behind a well-meant winner
who benefited by setting an uncontested pace.