HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 30, 2006
by John Mucciolo
The past weekend of racing at Hollywood Park marked the signature of the
winter meet, when six graded turf races made up the Hollywood Park Turf
Festival. We witnessed some impressive performances by standout individuals, and
saw Bobby Frankel add another Matriarch S. (G1) to his resume.
Matriarch S. (G1): Juddmonte Farms’ homebred PRICE TAG (GB) (Dansili
[GB]) had just three horses passed after the opening six furlongs of the
one-mile grass test, but a furious, well-timed rally under Edgar Prado got the
filly a Grade 1 tally in her U.S. bow. Trained by the aforementioned Frankel,
the three-year-old miss outmoved her elder counterparts late to gain the
prestigious victory, stopping the teletimer over firm turf in 1:34 3/5.
Hollywood Derby (G1): Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s much-ballyhooed
sophomore star SHOWING UP (Strategic Mission) came in with the biggest
reputation, and the gelding did little to refute that for trainer Barclay Tagg.
The Grade 1 hero took command nearing midstretch and simply outclassed his nine
rivals in a supreme effort. Piloted by Cornelio Velasquez, the chestnut finished
off 1 1/4 miles in a superb 1:59 1/5 and left little doubt as to the best in his
division. The millionaire earned a robust 112 BRIS Speed number for his efforts.
Citation H. (G1): Godolphin’s incredibly consistent ASHKAL WAY (Ire) (Ashkalani)
overcame a cross-country jaunt and the widest post to register a smart score in
here for conditioner Saeed bin Suroor. Ridden flawlessly by Garrett Gomez, the
gelded four-year-old moved to the fore on the far turn and was never under
serious pressure late, recording a swift final time of 1:39 3/5 for the 1 1/16
miles. The underrated chestnut got his well deserved Grade 1 win, and has been
beaten just once in seven starts since coming stateside. Ashkal Way posted a
lifetime topping 106 BRIS Speed figure.
Hollywood Turf Express H. (G3): The Juan Garcia-trained JUNGLE PRINCE
(Sir Cat) was prominent throughout in an upset for owners Jack Burk, Joseph
Sciarra and Robert Zammaripa. The California-bred five-year-old went six
furlongs in a sharp 1:08 3/5 en route to his first graded stakes tally. A solid
BRIS Speed number of 98 was received by the winner.
Miesque S. (G3): Two-year-old fillies went one mile on the lawn in
this one, and Euro import VALBENNY (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]) proved best on this
occasion. Trained by Paddy Gallagher for DiPietro et al, the freshman miss
exploded from second-to-last following a half-mile to finish three-parts clear
at the wire. The fact that the next three finishers in the race were all among
the pace early, further flatters the exciting miss’ effort. A well-timed ride by
Alex Solis didn’t hurt the bay’s chances either, and she registered a whopping
110 BRIS Late Pace number.
Generous S. (G3): Rising Sun Stable’s WARNING ZONE (Chester House)
closed with a rush under Corey Nakatani to win this one going away. The John
Sadler charge has been improving with every start and was clearly best in here,
stopping the timer in 1:36 3/5 for the one mile, while 2 1/4 lengths clear at
the finish. The colt earned a career best 91 BRIS Speed figure for his work.
Track Stats
From a total of 46 races held at Hollywood Park last week, favorites won at a
37 percent clip, and the top two betting choices combined for 59 percent of the
wins. From 32 frays contested on the Cushion Track, 28 percent of all winners
won in wire-to-wire fashion, while none of the 14 grassy tussles were taken all
the way on the lead. Sunday was most helpful for horses coming from off the
pace, as not a single race was taken on the lead on either surface, while
Wednesday yielded three wire-to-wire winners from six main track events.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/22):
7TH – On a day where forwardly placed horses held well on the Cushion Track
surface, the Doug O’Neill-conditioned SWISS CURRENT (Swiss Yodeler) went last to
first. The stakes-placed juvenile trailed the group after a half-mile but closed
strongly, getting seven panels in 1:25 and earning an 82 BRIS Speed figure in
the process.
Thursday (11/23)
5TH – MICHELLE’S MARQUIS (Seattle Bound) made an impressive debut in here for
Gary Mandella, closing from well off the pace to record a nice second. The
California-bred came into the race with a strong gate drill, and backed that up
on race day for a trainer not known for winning first out.
Friday (11/24)
3RD – Warning Zone has yet to run a bad one and was much the class in here,
leading us to believe that he has a big future. Armed with tactical speed and a
pedigree to run all day, the freshman colt should be one to watch for a while.
Saturday (11/25)
2ND – Why the connections of Dan Hendricks and Alex Solis were allowed to go
off at 43-1 I’ll never understand, but SEKIRA (Holy Bull) turned into a new
animal on the Cushion Track in this fairly easy tally. The Florida-bred
two-year-old was among the pace throughout and was never under duress in the
latter stages. The chestnut lass is likely live right back at square odds.
Sunday (11/26)
4TH – RAMSGATE (Runaway Groom) registered his second consecutive score over
the new surface for Bobby Frankel, and the sophomore should be stakes bound
following this one. Piloted by David Flores, the chestnut moved four-wide into
the lane and closed with fine energy, completing the seven-eighths in a sharp
1:21 1/5.
6TH – We should all show up to see this turf star run, as Barclay Tagg’s
Showing Up oozed class in this contest to add a second Grade 1 win to his
resume. The chestnut capped off a spectacular year, going 9-7-0-1 with his lone
off-the-board placing coming in the Kentucky Derby (G1). We anxiously await his
2007 campaign.
8TH – Although only third in here, POMMES FRITES (Dynaformer) ran another
huge race and was not far from victory for Bill Mott. The four-year-old has
never appeared to be a Grade 1 animal, but her improvement this season makes her
a factor in any contest. Sporting five wins from eight outings in 2006, we hope
her connections will bring her back for ’07.
A Look Ahead
This weekend Hollywood Park will play host to a pair of graded tilts, the
Vernon O. Underwood S. (G2) and the Bayakoa H. (G2). Looking farther ahead, we
have the Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1) on December 9, the Hollywood Futurity (G1)
on December 16 and the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) on the following day.