HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A slew of graded races headlined the Hollywood Turf Festival.
Hollywood Derby (G1): B J Wright’s ULTIMATE EAGLE capped a huge
weekend for owner and trainer Michael Pender in taking this field all the way.
The streaking son of Mizzen Mast continued his winning ways, notching his fourth
straight score when completing 1 1/4 miles in 2:01 2/5, and was expertly handled
by Martin Pedroza.
Matriarch S. (G1): George Krikorian’s homebred STAR BILLING put in her
bid in early stretch and ran down a clear leader en route to a half-length win
under Victor Espinoza. The sophomore daughter of Dynaformer stopped the
teletimer in 1:35 2/5 over the firm lawn for trainer John Shirreffs.
Citation H. (G2): B J Wright’s JERANIMO made a huge move while
five-wide in the lane and stormed clear to a decisive, 2 3/4-length tally in
this one under Garrett Gomez. The talented five-year-old son of Congaree endured
1 1/16 miles on the firm lawn in a superb 1:40 4/5 for Pender.
Generous S. (G3): Gary and Cecil Barber’s STONEY FLEECE took command
in early stretch and was never seriously challenged from there in posting a 1
1/4-length tally beneath Joel Rosario. The John Sadler trainee got one mile on
the firm lawn in a solid 1:34 3/5.
Hollywood Prevue S. (G3): Arnold Zetcher’s SO BRILLIANT got the best
of a long duel and held gamely in the lane to post a half-length score for
conditioner Bob Baffert. The unbeaten Medaglia d’Oro juvenile got his seven
panels in 1:22 4/5 to post his first stakes win.
Miesque S. (G3): Newtown Anner Stud’s MORE THAN LOVE justified her
even-money status with a game win in this one for trainer John Terranova. By
More Than Ready, the East Coast import endured one mile on the firm lawn in 1:36
1/5 in winning by a nose.
Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3): JMJ Racing Stables’ PACIFIC OCEAN sped to
the front, set rapid splits, and never stopped in garnering a 2 1/4-length win
in here for trainer Mike Mitchell. The four-year-old gelding got six panels on
the Cushion oval in a snappy 1:08 2/5 beneath Rosario.
Track Stats
From a total of 38 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 25 frays contested on the
cushion oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while one of
the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (8 percent).
We continue to believe that both ovals play fairly and consistently. Most of
the winners on the main oval broke from posts 4-6 (15 of 25 races), but we
consider that to be somewhat random.
The turf continues to give all types of runners a chance, though we still
have a preference for those who are in the first or second flight early on.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 103 | |
| CUSHION: | 74 | |
| TURF: | 29 | |
| FAVORITES: | 44 (43 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 12 (11 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 5 (17 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 15 (20 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (11/24)
2ND — The Baffert-trained SKY KINGDOM showed big improvement in this one and
could be an interesting Kentucky Derby prospect going forward. The two-year-old
son of Empire Maker is bred to run all day and should progress as the distances
increase.
4TH — RAVEN WILD put in a powerful run from way back in this one to graduate
in sharp fashion for trainer Ron Ellis. The sophomore miss could win right back.
Friday (11/25)
3RD — Shirreffs unveiled a fine-looking debut winner on this day with BLINGO,
who powered past this field in posting a convincing, 2 1/2-length tally here.
The Artie Schiller gelding appears to have a very bright future.
4TH — GENIUS looked like just that in this debut run for Baffert, gliding
home a superb debut victor under Martin Garcia. The sophomore Smart Strike colt
got a late start to the races, but should make a lot of noise in 2012.
Saturday (11/26)
7TH — TEN DEVILS never really had room to accelerate in his first start
since the spring, and we think the Mandella charge will be live if placed in a
similar spot in his comebacker.
Sunday (11/27)
3RD — SMASH was confidently handled throughout in here and should be graded
stakes bound in his next stop. The Baffert charge always runs big and should be
bound for the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes bound on December 26.
6TH — MARYJEAN was professional in winning at first asking for the hot Vann
Belvior barn. The juvenile D’wildcat filly was hammered at the windows in this
big field, and rightfully so, and we think she could easily win next time.
10TH — MACHO ROCKET gave Baffert another promising debut winner in this
finale, over what we thought was an excellent maiden field. The $825,000
two-year-old purchase led at every call and held gamely late in a smart showing.
A Look Ahead
Sunday’s Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap and the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap on
Saturday, headlines the weekend action at Hollywood Park.