HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 21, 2010
by John Mucciolo
An excellent renewal of the CashCall Futurity (G1), featuring the top
juveniles on the grounds, led the way during closing week at Hollywood.
Barber et al’s COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie) put an exclamation point to
his stellar meeting with a convincing tally in this event for conditioner Peter
Miller. The gelding easily took command nearing the final turn, opened up a big
lead in mid-stretch, and cruised home late in a top effort beneath Corey
Nakatani.
Track Stats
From a total of 28 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
rain-shortened, four-day race week, favorites won at a 53 percent clip and the
top two betting choices combined for 82 percent of the wins. From 24 frays
contested on the Cushion Track oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion
(17 percent), while none of the four grassy tussles was led at every call.
Closers dominated on Thursday and Friday on the main oval, taking all 12
races, many from well off the early tempo. That all changed as the rains came,
as four runners won in wire-to-wire fashion on the drenched Saturday card, with
a few more stalking close to the early lead prior to winning.
Meet Totals
RACES:
436
CUSHION:
328
TURF:
108
FAVORITES:
179 (41 percent)
2ND CHOICES:
105 (24 percent)
TURF WIRE:
20 (18 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:
78 (24 percent)
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (12/16)
5TH — MR ARTISTIC M D (Mr. Greeley) followed up his fine maiden win with
another eye-catching performance, rallying from last en route to a tally for
trainer Kathy Walsh. The unbeaten two-year-old gelding looks to have a promising
future ahead of him and should be stakes bound in the near future.
8TH — BAD BOY (Petionville) streaked to another score in this one when it
looked as though he had too much work to do in the lane. The fast-closing
gelding was claimed by the Mark Glatt stable, but looks capable of running for
any outfit and should not be overlooked, even with a class rise.
Friday (12/17)
4TH — NICE MOVE (Golden Missile) proved to be a stubborn one in the lane and
recorded a win first out for trainer Gary Sherlock. The debuter looked good for
a barn that is not all that good with first time starters, so we’ll watch the
gelding going forward. He’s also out of a Grade 1 winner.
7TH — We were really impressed with VICTORY WITH HONOUR (Tiznow) in this
one, who was grinding away until finding his best gear inside the final furlong,
eventually opening up like a good thing. The Eoin Harty-trained sophomore has
now won two straight and could likely handle longer trips.
Saturday (12/18)
5TH — DIME (Cherokee Run) moved readily to the lead turning for home but
hung late in being run down in the final jumps for trainer Doug O’Neill, but the
juvenile colt should be a major force against similar next out.
6TH — We’re not sure what was in this race but the first timer SINAI
(Rockport Harbor) won like a good thing for conditioner Bob Baffert, leading at
every call. The juvenile colt could be any type and deserves some respect in his
return.
8TH — The talented HUNCH (Lion Heart) improved in a big way in his second
off a long break for John Sadler, streaking clear late in a solid final time.
It’s good to see the stakes-quality colt back in form.
9TH — We’re not sure if J P’S GUSTO (Successful Appeal) would have won this
race with a better trip, but we were encouraged by what the accomplished colt
put forward in closing strong in the stretch. The David Hoffmans pupil should be
a force in the three-year-old ranks early in 2011.
A Look Ahead
The action shifts to Santa Anita on December 26.