HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 15, 2010
by John Mucciolo
The top juvenile fillies in the state were on display at Hollywood Park on
Saturday, where a budding superstar emerged.
Hollywood Starlet S. (G1): Blinkers On Racing et al’s TURBULENT
DESCENT (Congrats) went three deep in the stretch and was never seriously
challenged in posting a 1 1/4-length decision under pilot David Flores. The
unbeaten Mike Puype trainee endured 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 to earn her initial
Grade 1 tally, improving her mark to three for three.
Track Stats
From a total of 35 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
four-day race week, favorites won at a 51 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 60 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on the
Cushion Track oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (26 percent), while
one of the 12 grassy tussles was led at every call (8 percent).
We thought the main oval was especially fair all week. Friday and Saturday
saw wire-to-wire winners, but there was no bias to report.
The turf oval played to closers over the past week, with the lone wire job
coming in a turf dash by a 2-5 shot.
It was feast or famine at Hollywood last week, with 18 favorites, but only
three second-choice winners. There were also several runners that paid
handsomely.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 408 | |
| CUSHION: | 304 | |
| TURF: | 104 | |
| FAVORITES: | 164 (40 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 97 (24 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 20 (19 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 74 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (12/9)
1ST — HOT CITIZEN (Proud Citizen) reversed her form in a big way with an
impressive late run to mow this field down under Joel Rosario. The Eddie Truman
trainee was awesome in the latter stages, getting her final quarter-mile in a
swift :23.
5TH — The Vladimir Cerin-trained NO DREAM (Anabaa) just missed to a talented
runner, finishing 3 1/2-lengths clear of third on this day. The six-year-old
will be a huge threat next time with anything similar.
7TH — WARREN’S BLOSSOM (Extra) looks to be stakes-bound after another sharp
run for trainer Jorge Gutierrez, dusting this allowance group under Martin
Pedroza. The sophomore lass has yet to run a bad one.
Friday (12/10)
3RD — GOOD FRIDAY GAL (Forest Camp) was easily passed in early stretch, but
battled on gamely in a smart runner-up performance to a big class dropper in
this one. She’ll be formidable against similar next out for David Bernstein.
4TH — The Bob Baffert-conditioned MOONLARK (Gone West) was superb in this
dash, leading at every call at pulling clear for fun late in a stakes-quality
performance. The lightly raced sophomore made a pair of nice ones look very
average on this day.
Saturday (12/11)
2ND — Grade 1 hero COST OF FREEDOM (Cee’s Tizzy) toyed with this field and
could have won for tons more for trainer John Sadler. The speedy gelding has not
lost a step at seven and is among the fleetest sprinters on the coast. We’ll see
how he handles the dirt at Santa Anita in his next start.
3RD — TIZ A BUD GIRL (Tizbud) has put together two fine turf runs in a row
and is clearly better on the lawn for Sadler, who has her going good. While she
was never getting to the well-meant winner in here, the improving miss should be
tough in her return.
Sunday (12/12)
5TH — LOOK TO THE SKY (Michael’s Flyer) was always traveling like a winner
in here in a comfortable win for conditioner Peter Miller, who is having a fine
meet. The six-year-old mare is a huge threat to win right back, versus similar
or slightly better.
8TH — MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein) returned to his winning ways with a
smart closing win while extremely wide for Alexis Barba. The Kentucky Derby (G1)
fourth-placer had faltered badly in his last pair but is seemingly getting back
to his stakes form.
A Look Ahead
The $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1) is the main draw this weekend at
Hollywood.