HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
JUNE 26, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded events for sophomores highlighted the weekend at Hollywood
Park.
Affirmed H. (G3): Nicholas Alexander’s homebred GRAZEN (Benchmark) sped to the front and never
looked back in wiring this field for conditioner Mike Mitchell, finishing 2 3/4
lengths clear at the wire. The colt has now won three straight in fine fashion.
Rafael Bejarano guided home the winner in 1:41 2/5 for 1 1/16 miles.
Cinema H. (G3): Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and Michael Tala’s OIL MAN (Ire) (Pyrus) rolled to his second straight
for John Sadler with a powerful finish under Joel Rosario, scoring by one length
on the line. The
improving three-year-old went nine panels in 1:48 3/5 over the firm turf.
Track Stats
From a total of 36 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the
four-day week, favorites won at a 28 percent clip and the top-two betting
choices combined for 58 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the
Cushion Track oval, just two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (8 percent),
while four of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (33 percent).
We saw very little from horses leading at every call on the main oval over
the past week, but many of the winners were in the mix early. It didn’t appear
to be a biased oval, as the percentage of the top-two betting choices winning
was high, but speed was not dominant as it has been in prior weeks.
Everything can win on the lawn, but we’re sticking to the thinking that being
prominent early gives you a better chance at crossing the wire first.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 344 | |
| CUSHION TRACK: | 250 | |
| TURF: | 94 | |
| FAVORITES: | 110 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 92 (27 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 29 (31 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 67 (27 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 55 | |
| 1-3: | 147 | |
| 4-6: | 120 | |
| 7-out: | 77 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/18)
1ST — TRIPLE CREAM (Tapit) was heavily backed in here but failed to produce
for David Hofmans, but we see no reason for panic as starters from this barn
always improve with experience.
5TH — ANDALACIA (Ire) (Choisir) just missed in an improved
showing for Paddy Gallagher, and this sophomore miss appears to be sitting on a
win.
7TH — One of our favorite turf sprinters on the West Coast, DELTA
STORM (Storm Boot), returned in a big way for Mitchell, crushing this
well-accomplished bunch under Rosario. The gelded eight-year-old sped six
grassy panels in a wicked 1:07 4/5 and loves this oval.
Friday (6/19)
1ST — PORTO MARMAY (Ire) (Choisir) has now put in a trio of strong
efforts over the Hollywood flat course, as opposed to that of Santa Anita, and
Julio Canani has found a niche for the talented filly. She topped a strong field
in here, rallying behind a slow pace beneath David Flores.
3RD — ROYAL FORTUNE (Giant’s Causeway) appears to have a nice future ahead of
her for Neil Drysdale as the filly toyed with this field. The impeccably bred
three-year-old will be in a stakes race before long.
Saturday (6/20)
5TH — The blue-blooded SAVU (Storm Cat) looked good in his last and followed
that up with a smart score in this event for Drysdale, powering home beneath
Alex Solis.
7TH — HUNCH (Lion Heart) certainly looked the part in his first
run for Sadler, taking over in early stretch before pulling away under
Bejarano. This colt is bred to be very fast and he looks like he will run
to his pedigree.
Sunday (6/21)
1ST — THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) ran a winning race in defeat
for trainer James Cassidy, making a sustained run on the inside prior to being run down late
beneath Victor Espinoza.
3RD — DEBATING SOCIETY (High Brite) looked good off a lengthy layoff for
Marty Jones, holding on gamely under Rosario. The four-year-old can win
right back.
A Look Ahead
The $300,000 Vanity H. (G1) featuring the incomparable ZENYATTA (Street Cry
[Ire]) is the headliner this weekend at Hollywood. On Sunday, turf fillies and
mares will contest the $150,000 Beverly Hills H. (G2).