HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
JUNE 26, 2013
by John Mucciolo
There was a single Grade 2 affair over the weekend at Hollywood Park.
Hollywood Oaks (G2): Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ homebred
DOINGHARDTIMEAGAIN (Minister’s Wildcat) took the lead out of the gate and never
looked back in posting a convincing 2 1/2-length tally under Rafael Bejarano.
The Jerry Hollendorfer pupil traveled the 1 1/16 miles on the Cushion oval in
1:43 1/5 to post her first graded win.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Inglewood, California, racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 56 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 62 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the
Cushion Track oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while
one horse went all the way on the lead from 12 turf events (8 percent).
While favorites dominated the racing with 19 wins from 34 races, just a pair
of second choices came through in this all-or-nothing week of sorts.
The lone turf wire job came in a route stakes race by and odds-on winner.
We thought the main oval was mostly fair, as the number of winning favorites
would indicate.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 324 | |
| CUSHION: | 220 | |
| TURF: | 104 | |
| FAVORITES: | 114 (35 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 64 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 18 (17 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 65 (30 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/20)
4TH — HEAT TRAP (Unusual Heat) followed up her superb debut win with an
easier score in her first start against winners for trainer Carla Gaines and
it’s pretty obvious that this four-year-old has a lot of ability. The filly was
in the race a lot sooner on this occasion and could evolve into a stakes player
in the near future.
6TH — CARBONITE (Aldebaran) dueled for the lead to the top of the lane, fell
a length behind in late stretch and re-rallied to be a very game winner in this
spot for John Sadler. The seven-year-old gelding still has some run left in him
for sure.
7TH — FREAKIN ROCKET (Rock Hard Ten) rolled past the clear leader in
midstretch and flew home to romp over this field by 5 1/2 lengths under Mike
Smith. The sophomore colt from the barn of Tim Yakteen has been very impressive
from two starts to date and could be any kind with progression throughout the
season.
Friday (6/21)
1ST — MIA LADY (Salt Lake) was in command turning for home and never looked
back in trouncing this maiden field, which we thought had some potential. The
Simon Callaghan pupil could be a big player in her debut with winners right
back.
7TH — BOAT TRIP (Harlan’s Holiday) rated off the wicked early pace and
closed with a ton of energy to get up in his second start of 2013. The
stakes-winning four-year-old loves sprinting on the lawn and will be stakes
bound in the very near future, if not next time.
Saturday (6/22)
1ST — EVERTON (Indian Charlie) burned a lot of money in this race was a
narrow second, but the Bob Baffert pupil showed a lot of heart when racing in
between foes for most of the stretch and he gives the impression of a runner who
might handle a stretch out to a route.
2ND — WARRENS VENEDALUCY (Doc Gus) couldn’t get past the favored winner in
this one but finished more than eight lengths clear of third in a fine runner-up
showing here. Trainer Robert Troeger may have gotten a good one with the claim
of this filly.
7TH — ONTOLOGY (Tapit) ran a huge second in this one for Callaghan while
overcoming the rail draw and we think this one has a bright future, being bred
to run longer.
A Look Ahead
A pair of Grade 1 races will headline the Saturday card at Hollywood Park. On
tap are the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile and the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap.