HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 23, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A standout performer picked up his first Grade 1 win this week at Hollywood
Park.
Hollywood Turf Cup (G1): Andreas Jacobs’ SANAGAS took command prior to
the turn for home and was clearly best in posting a 3 1/4-length score in here
under Rajiv Maragh. The Graham Motion pupil got 1 1/2 miles in 2:27 2/5 over the
firm turf oval.
Track Stats
From a total of 31 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
four-day race week, favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on the
cushion oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (17 percent), while two
of the eight grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (25 percent).
Of the two turf wire jobs during the week, one came in a sprint and the other
in a route race. We still like horses who are into the race early on this lawn.
The main oval once again played pretty fairly in our view.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 65 | |
| CUSHION: | 49 | |
| TURF: | 16 | |
| FAVORITES: | 29 (45 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 6 (9 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 4 (25 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 9 (18 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (11/17)
1ST — MILANIA was a game winner in this one for conditioner Jerry
Hollendorfer, but the well-bred filly didn’t beat much in here and we’ll take a
cautious approach to her next start.
8TH — PARO put in a strong late run to be second at first asking today for
trainer John Shirreffs, and the four-year-old gelding should improve next time.
Friday (11/18)
1ST — SMOKEY LAKE proved that she has a liking for the synthetics with a
dominant, 6 3/4-length tally in this one for Sean McCarthy. The three-year-old
will be an obvious threat with winners next time if properly placed.
7TH — Kudos to trainer Ron Ellis and winner MR GRUFF on this day, as the
gelding showed no rust in his first try since May of 2010. The talented turf
sprinter was never headed in this one and could try graded foes in his return.
Saturday (11/19)
3RD — The well-bred BATALHA proved much the best in this spot and could be
any kind going forward for conditioner A.C. Avila. The Kentucky-bred filly could
turn out to be a real good one, possibly on any surface.
Sunday (11/20)
1ST — ROWDY GAL gave trainer John Sadler another good-looking winner at this
young meet, pulling clear in the lane in a smart debut showing. The juvenile
filly appeared to have a lot left in the lane and could evolve into a nice one.
A Look Ahead
The stakes action for the Hollywood Turf Festival is as follows — Thursday
is the Grade 3, $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes; Friday plays host to the Grade
1, $250,000 Matriarch Stakes and Grade 3, $100,000 Miesque Stakes; Saturday’s
card features the Grade 2, $250,000 Citation Handicap and Grade 3, $100,000
Vernon O. Underwood Stakes; and Sunday will be the date for the Grade1, $250,000
Hollywood Derby and Grade 3, $100,000 Generous Stakes.