HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 13, 2006
by John Mucciolo
Garrett Gomez continued the incredible run he’s been on in 2006, sweeping
the pair of graded events at Hollywood Park this weekend. Whether running short
or long, on the lead or off the pace, on the Cushion Track or turf, the nearly
untarnished rider seems to push all the right buttons and, amazingly, his mounts
always seem to have more left than their competition in the latter stages. Gomez
bagged 12 Grade 1 races this year and is poised to earn his first Eclipse Award.
Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1): It’s never wise to underestimate trainer
Richard Mandella. The effort put forth by Wertheimer and Frere’s
BOBOMAN (Kingmambo) in this 1 1/2-mile turf marathon further emphasizes that
point. Untested against graded foes, the late blooming
five-year-old ran the race of his life, pulling clear in the lane to a
convincing tally under Gomez. The bay benefited from a strong pace in front that initiated his strong late run, but he went by three of the favorites
early in the stretch as if they were standing still. The final time for 12 furlongs was 2:24 3/5, and the winner earned a whopping 108 BRIS Speed figure.
Native Diver H. (G3): Trainer Christophe Clement appears to be
enjoying his move
to the West Coast, and he had to be all smiles after SAINT STEPHEN (Saint Ballado) crossed
the wire first in here. The recipient of a perfect ride from Gomez, the
well-bred sort was coming off a lengthy layoff but showed no rust,
taking over in midstretch before completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 3/5. Campaigned by Harris, Harris and Karches,
the hard-knocking six-year-old should be a force on any surface on the West Coast in the coming year.
Track Stats
From a total of 44 races held at Hollywood Park, favorites
won at 32 percent, identical to the previous week and the top two betting
choices combined for 52 percent of the wins for the week. From 32 frays
contested on the Cushion Track, just 9 percent (3 of 32) of the winners went wire to wire.
Two of the 12 grass races were taken all the way
on the lead.
Thursday was beneficial for late runners as not a
single race was taken on the lead on either surface.
Meet totals for Hollywood are as follows:
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HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (12/06)
1ST– GEM PROOF (Porto Foricos) showed improved gate speed in his second start
off the shelf, and the Paddy Gallagher charge easily proved best on this occasion.
The gelded sophomore got his final quarter-mile in a swift :23 2/5 and could be
live on the stretch out.
Thursday (12/07)
6TH – BREAKFASTATBULLY’S (Star of Valor) made his fourth start a winning one
when taking this 1 1/16-mile fray. The David La Croix pupil didn’t beat much
and earned a modest 78 BRIS Speed figure, but the horse impressed visually in
his two-turn debut. We feel the freshman colt will be a live longshot at a
route.
Friday (12/08)
3RD – The Doug O’Neill trained ARGENTINISIMA (Arg) (Candy Stripes) was the
lone wire-to-wire winner on this day and finished the seven-eighths in full of
run under Martin Pedroza. The seven-year-old is now perfect from two starts over
the Cushion Track, and was claimed by the white-hot John Sadler. The mare
recorded an 88 BRIS Speed figure
Saturday (12/09)
8TH– Bob Baffert’s COM EASY (Halo’s Image) looked dead in the water turning
for home, but switched leads and closed well in the final sixteenth in her debut
and was rewarded with an 84 BRIS Speed figure. The expensive two-year-old in
training purchase certainly has much room for improvement and her running style
suggested two-turns could be in the near future. Baffert is usually much better
in second starts, so keep a close eye on this one.
9TH – Boboman wasn’t a fluke and looks to have a bright future if he can stay
healthy for Mandella. The bay is now perfect from four tries beyond one mile in
distance, and what really impressed was the way he inhaled the trio in front of
him in the stretch.
Sunday (12/10)
5TH– Conditioner Beau Greely won’t get his runners cranked up for their
debut too often, so the late rush put in by LE CIRQUE (Dynaformer) was
impressive. The two-year-old lass passed seven horses in the final
five-sixteenths and got the 8 1/2 furlongs in a useful 1:44 2/5. A likely
candidate to win right back, the well-bred filly earned a strong 103 BRIS Late
Pace figure.
7TH – PLOT TWIST (Bertrando) couldn’t have been more impressive in here. The
gelding closed like a beast in the center of the track, he won by 3 1/2 widening
lengths. The California-bred, trained by Clifford Sise Jr., looks special and
should be able to handle open company if asked. He registered a 95 BRIS Speed
figure and a splendid 105 Late Pace figure, superb numbers for his debut.
A Look Ahead
On December 16,
freshmen males take the spotlight in the $250,000 Hollywood Futurity S. (G1), not
to be outdone by their female counterparts in the $250,000 Hollywood Starlet S.
(G1) the following day. Monday’s $150,000 Dahlia S. (G2) for fillies and mare going 1 1/16
miles on the grass caps off the graded stakes this meet.