HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 12, 2012
by John Mucciolo
There were a pair graded races over the weekend at Hollywood Park.
Hollywood Starlet (G1): Magdalena Racing’s PURE FUN (Pure Prize) was
last after six panels, swung wide under Garrett Gomez approaching the turn for
home and outran all of her foes en route to a one-length victory. The Ken McPeek
trainee stopped the teletimer in 1:44 3/5 for 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track.
Bayakoa S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al’s LADY OF FIFTY
(After Market) made a big move approaching the final turn and cruised home a
comfortable 3 1/4-length winner under Martin Garcia. The three-year-old filly
got 1 1/16 miles on Cushion in 1:44 1/5 in this fine tally.
Track Stats
From a total of 36 races held over at the Southern California racetrack
during the past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 53 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the
Cushion Track oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while
a pair of winners went all the way on the lead from 12 turf events (17 percent).
For the second straight week, it was virtually all or nothing, with a big
percentage of winning favorites, but only three second choices coming through
from 36 races (8 percent).
We thought both ovals played fairly all week, as we saw winners from every
part of the track this week, on both the turf and the Cushion.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 178 | |
| CUSHION: | 131 | |
| TURF: | 47 | |
| FAVORITES: | 65 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 31 (17 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 8 (17 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 36 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (12/6)
1ST — Z BIG APPLE (Malibu Moon) showed some heart and class in re-rallying
after being passed in the lane to win by a nose in this one for Bob Baffert. We
feel that the talented juvenile colt will move forward as the distances increase
and should be stakes-bound soon.
7TH — FAST BULLET (Speightstown) was awesome in this allowance spot,
sprinting to the lead and blowing his foes away in the lane in a most powerful
turn of foot for Baffert. The four-year-old colt finished up in a nice time and
will surely be headed back to a graded stakes race in his next endeavor.
Friday (12/7)
1ST — HEIR KITTY (Wildcat Heir) was last early but really surged in the lane
to beat what we thought was a solid field in going away fashion. The
graded-placed pupil from the Peter Miller barn likes it here.
4TH — SWEET RED CAT (Bluegrass Cat) flew home after being last after the
opening half-mile to get past the clear leader in a sharp maiden tally for
conditioner John Sadler. The juvenile filly got her final five sixteenths in a
swift :30 flat and appears to have a nice future.
Saturday (12/8)
7TH — FLASHBACK (Tapit) looked the part in this debut run for Baffert,
breaking from the widest post, sweeping to the front in early stretch and
inching clear to a 3 1/2-length score under Julien Leparoux. This juvenile won
at a distance where it’s not an easy thing first out, and could really have any
type of future.
MENTOR CANE (Mizzen Mast) showed good speed and stayed on well for second in
this debut run for trainer John Shirreffs, who rarely puts speed in his juvenile
runners. We’ll keep a close eye on this colt coming back.
Sunday (12/9)
7TH — KEY VISTA (Redattore) was among the most impressive runners over the
weekend and could be a real nice one for Baffert. The Cal-bred miss dominated
this field like a seasoned veteran, and should be stakes bound after this fine
romp.
A Look Ahead
The Grade 1, $750,000 CashCall Futurity leads the way on Saturday, with the
Grade 2, $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup on the undercard.
Sunday’s closing-day program will be led by the $200,000 King Glorious
Stakes.