HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
JUNE 29, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A pair of top fillies got the job done this weekend at Hollywood
Park.
Hollywood Oaks (G2): Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss’ ZAZU
(Dynaformer) slipped through a narrow opening along the rail and strode home a
game 1 1/2-length heroine of this for conditioner John Sadler. Ridden with
courage by Joel Rosario, the gray sophomore endured 1 1/16 miles on the Cushion
in 1:43 1/5.
Beverly Hills H. (G3): Spendthrift Farm’s homebred MALIBU
PIER (Malibu Moon) got back to her winning way with a decisive tally in this one
for conditioner Carla Gaines. The classy four-year-old strode 1 1/4 miles on the
firm lawn in 2:01 under the guidance of Brice Blanc.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held over the Inglewood racetrack
during the four-day race week, favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top
two betting choices combined for 53 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested
on the Cushion oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent),
while two of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (18 percent).
Speed on the main oval was best on Sunday, with four
wire-to-wire winners. Overall, being on or near the early pace was best this
week, but we still saw a few runners winning from well back early. We love the
consistency of this oval.
Two horses led at every call on the lawn, one coming in a sprint
event and another in a route run.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 357 | |
| CUSHION: | 251 | |
| TURF: | 106 | |
| FAVORITES: | 131 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 78 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 30 (28 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 62 (25 percent) |
Main Track Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 34 | |
| 1-3: | 90 | |
| 4-6: | 87 | |
| 7-out: | 48 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/23)
6TH — AFLEET DEAL (Stephanotis), who chased the clear leader to
late stretch and took over readily late in a professional score with Rosario,
was claimed out of this by Jerry Hollendorfer. The in-form five-year-old will
surely be one to watch if placed against similar.
8TH — LUCKY PRIMO (Atticus) dueled on the front, dispatched his
pace foe, and cruised home an impressive winner in this one for owner/trainer
Josh Litt. We think this one has a few more good races in front of him.
Friday (6/24)
7TH — CAT TALK (Tale of the Cat) seems to be putting it all
together for Paddy Gallagher, recording a very sharp win here while never being
threatened. The sophomore crushed his elders while making his first start
against winners and could evolve into a stakes horse in the near future.
Saturday (6/25)
6TH — We’re not sure what was in this field, but AWESOMEMUNDO
(Awesome Again) handled her two turn debut with ease, dominating her foes by 4
1/4 lengths for Baffert. The sophomore filly didn’t set the teletimer on fire
but won the right way and could easily challenge winners in her subsequent
outing.
Sunday (6/26)
5TH — DYNAMO (Dynaformer) was last after three-quarters and
went widest of all in the lane, but the talented filly still got the job done
here for Richard Mandella. A half-sister to Grade 1 winner Champ Pegasus
(Fusaichi Pegasus), the sophomore got her final five-sixteenths in a swift :28
2/5 beneath Rosario.
9TH — WOEBEGON (Saint Anddan) ran to her price tag in this one
with a sharp debut romp over what could turn out to be a fine field in here for
Peter Miller. The well-meant debuter sped home in :57 3/5 and could have gone
longer.
A Look Ahead
A big weekend of racing is on the horizon at Hollywood Park.
Saturday’s card features the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1) and the $250,000
Triple Bend H. (G1), while the $150,000 Royal Heroine Mile (G2) will take place
on Monday, July 4.