HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
APRIL 27, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A lone graded event took place during the opening week at Hollywood Park.
Inglewood H. (G3): Dugan, King and Winner’s LIBERIAN FREIGHTER
(Bertrando) streaked to his second straight graded win with a wire-to-wire
conquer in here beneath Martin Garcia. The gelded California-bred endured 1 1/16
miles on the firm turf in a swift 1:39 3/5 for trainer Neil Drysdale.
Track Stats
From a total of 35 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
four-day race week, favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 54 percent of the wins. From 28 frays contested on the
Cushion oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent), while one
of the seven grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (14 percent).
We liked what we saw during opening week here, and we will say that this is
our favorite synthetic oval in the United States. The main-track, while not
favoring speed, is pretty fair; the best horse can win from anywhere on the
oval. Early leaders and horses in last turning for home both seemed to have a
chance all week.
Three of the five wire jobs on the Cushion came in route events, so we will
keep an eye on that and see if the trend continues.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 35 | |
| CUSHION: | 28 | |
| TURF: | 7 | |
| FAVORITES: | 14 (40 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 5 (54 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 1 (14 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 5 (18 percent) |
Main Track Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 4 | |
| 1-3: | 11 | |
| 4-6: | 9 | |
| 7-out: | 8 |
HORSES TO WATCH:
Thursday (4/21)
2ND — VALKYRIE MISSILE (Golden Missile) showed little rust off the long
break with a convincing tally in this one for Mike Puype. The gelded
five-year-old went unclaimed here and might jump back into the allowance ranks
next out.
3RD — REMEMBER TO YODEL (Memo [Chi]) broke slowly but finished full of run
in a sharp debut showing for Mike Harrington while second. The juvenile will be
ultra tough with one under his belt.
4TH — The late-running KATE’S EVENT (Event of the Year) rolled home late to
win another for Jerry Hollendorfer, and the four-year-old colt could be stakes
bound soon.
Friday (4/22)
3RD — AMERICAN STORY (Ghostzapper) was well handled throughout this race by
Martin Garcia, rating kindly on the lead prior to pulling clear in the stretch
in a smart showing. The well-bred filly came home fast and is another who is
likely heading for a black type race in the immediate future.
5TH — RUSSIAN RIVER (Stravinsky) didn’t beat the deepest field in this one,
but the Mike Mitchell trainee did it the right way and surprisingly didn’t get
claimed in the process. The five-year-old mare would be ultra tough if placed in
a similar spot next time.
7TH — LOVE THEWAY YOUARE (Arch) exploded in the lane to post her second
straight for Myung Kwon Cho, defeating her elders in a visually impressive win.
The rapidly improving filly could turn out to be any kind and is worth watching
as the year unfolds.
Saturday (4/23)
3RD — FULL EFFECT (Swiss Yodeler) was well clear in third in his first try
since the summer, and the four-year-old shouldn’t be a maiden for long for
conditioner Mike Harrington.
7TH — AWESOME INDY (Golden Missile) really poured it on in this event,
proving that his big runner-up showing at first asking at 88-1 was no fluke. The
Marty Jones pupil looked like a stakes quality colt in this one.
10TH — Bob Baffert’s debuter SPARKLING STYLE (Badge of Silver) humbled this
group by 6 1/2 widening lengths under Garcia and could be any type. The
sophomore filly didn’t set the teletimer on fire and came home in a moderate
time, but we’ll be watching this exciting prospect.
Sunday (4/24)
4TH — CRAGMONT (Yes It’s True) was sitting on a win and crushed this
overmatched group for Bruce Headley in his debut against maiden claimers,
stretching more than four lengths clear under the wire. The gelded four-year-old
will have a big chance right back.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s $100,000 Wilshire H. (G3) for fillies and mares on the lawn is the
lone graded test to be run this weekend.