HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 2, 2009
by John Mucciolo
The Hollywood Turf Festival was held over the Thanksgiving weekend, and while
we said goodbye to a few of our stars, a handful of new ones greeted us.
Matriarch S. (G1): Juddmonte Farms’ homebred VENTURA (Chester House)
put the icing on a brilliant career with a convincing tally in here for Garrett
Gomez. The classy and electric mare drilled a mile in a sensational 1:33 2/5,
coming home in nearly :22 flat for her closing half-mile. She will be missed!
Hollywood Derby (G1): Don Van Racing’s THE USUAL Q T (Unusual Heat)
ran his win streak to five with a dominating, 1 1/2-length triumph in this one.
Trained by James Cassidy and guided by Victor Espinoza, the budding superstar
traveled 1 1/4 miles in a splendid 1:59 3/5.
Citation H. (G1): Patricia Bozano’s FLUKE (Brz) (Wild Event) surged
between horses to take over late and glided home a 1 1/4-length hero in this one
beneath Joe Talamo. Trained by long-time Frankel assistant Humberto Ascanio, the
improving four-year-old colt finished off 1 1/16 miles over the firm green in
1:40 2/5.
Miesque S. (G3): J.W. Singer’s THE MAILET (Rock Hard Ten) capped off a
big weekend for trainer Bruce Levine with a professional score in here under
Joel Rosario. The juvenile miss remained unbeaten in two turf outings by
completing the one-mile affair in 1:35.
Generous S. (G3): M Racing’s WHO’S UP (Graeme Hall) won the battle
with the 2-5 choice and never stoppe, powering home 1 ¾-lengths clear for
conditioner Kathy Walsh. The talented juvenile sped one mile on the firm lawn in
a sharp 1:34 1/5 beneath Victor Espinoza.
TRACK STATS
From a total of 46 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
three-day week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 33 frays contested on the
Cushion Track oval, 13 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (39 percent), while
three of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (23 percent).
Speed was once again very good on the main oval, and while not every race was
taken in wire-to-wire fashion, many were and a slew of the others were won by
horses close early.
This week four winners from five opening races were taken by the early
leader, making that nine of 10 over the past two weeks. This might be a bankable
trend that has developed.
Wide posts (7-wider) accounted for just eight wins from the 46 races this
past week, including just one of 10 on Saturday.
Meet Totals:
| RACES: | 114 | |
| CUSHION: | 79 | |
| TURF: | 35 | |
| FAVORITES: | 39 (34 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 21 (18 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 9 (26 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 30 (38 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 43 | |
| 1-3: | 47 | |
| 4-6: | 43 | |
| 7-out: | 24 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/25)
2ND — The Bob Baffert-trained CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie) humbled this
allowance field in a solid time and seems poised for big things in his
three-year-old campaign.
3RD — LIFE BY R R (Domestic Dispute), who made the last edition of the
Notebook, wheeled back in a week and didn’t miss a beat, rolling home late in
her first start for Doug O’ Neill. After winning her last two starts over
claiming rivals, the sophomore filly is entered in Thursday’s Starine S.
4TH — RULE THE STORM (Tribal Rule), in our opinion, was the victim of a
questionable ride but still battled bravely to be second in this test. The
four-year-old was restrained for a while before taking over and just falling
short late to a previous Watch List runner.
Friday (11/27)
3RD — GOOD TIDINGS (Came Home) showed a lot of grit in holding off a more
experienced foe, and while the final time wasn’t much, we’ll tab this one for a
productive future for the resurgent Paco Gonzalez barn.
8TH — PINKARELLA (Malibu Moon), who showed so much in a fine debut earlier
in the year, returned to her winning ways with a comprehensive tally in here for
O’ Neill. The sophomore filly closed he final quarter-mile in a brisk :23 3/5
under virtually no urging.
Saturday (11/28)
4TH — We expected more of RAYMORRISON (Smart Strike) in his return from a
lengthy break, but since the colt was beaten by less than four lengths in this
tightly run event, we’ll give him another chance.
7TH — It’s evident that DOTSY JEAN (Lit de Justice) loves the Hollywood
lawn, so the California-bred should be stakes bound in her next, and we would
not dismiss her on the class rise following this handy score.
Sunday (11/29)
5TH — CONNIE AND MICHAEL (Roman Ruler) battled on courageously in the lane
after being passed to be a solid third in this one for Ken McPeek. The lightly
raced juvenile has a bright future ahead of him.
7TH — AL KHALI (Medaglia d’Oro) finished a strong fourth in this deep field,
beaten just over a half-length to be second for Todd Pletcher. The sophomore
should make a lot of noise in the turf ranks at four.
A Look Ahead
The $150,000 Bayakoa H. (G2) will be held on Saturday, while the $100,000
Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) headlines the Sunday card.