HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 24, 2013
by John Mucciolo
There was no graded racing during the final weekend of racing at Hollywood
Park.
Track Stats
From a total of 30 races held over the Inglewood, California racetrack during
the past week, favorites won at a 20 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 40 percent of the wins. From 15 frays contested on the
Cushion Track oval, three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent),
while five of the 15 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (33 percent).
We thought the main oval was pretty speed favoring on Saturday, with some
long shots coming through and also holding on for second after setting the pace.
Sunday favored horses traveling outside, with five of the six main-track winners
breaking from post seven or wider.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 239 | |
| CUSHION: | 163 | |
| TURF: | 76 | |
| FAVORITES: | 87 (36 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 52 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 19 (25 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 34 (21 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (12/20)
1ST — SPRAGUE RIVER (Tribal Rule) tracked the pace, made a nice move to lead
near midstretch and inched clear to a 1 1/4-length score under Joe Talamo. A
fine debut winner in the spring, the juvenile miss returned off a layoff and
proved capable on the lawn, staying unbeaten from a pair of lifetime runs for
Scott Hansen.
6TH — In his first start since June, D J MANLOVE (Stormy Atlantic) dueled to
the lead, got passed in the land and then battled back to be a sharp second,
beaten jut a neck for the tally. We have a feeling Mike Mitchell made a nice
claim of this one, who should only improve second off the break.
Saturday (12/21)
4TH — KATIE’S GARDEN (Elusive Quality) commenced her run approaching the
turn for home and pulled clear late in a fine maiden score for trainer John
Shirreffs. The sophomore filly has run very well in all three lifetime races to
date, and we still feel that she will be able to stretch out and get a bit more
ground with further development.
10TH — ROVENNA (Vronsky) was all heart in this one and nearly pulled off a
big upset for conditioner Mike Machowsky. The juvenile filly set rapid splits to
lead early and never wavered until the final jumps in a fine runner-up showing,
finishing more than two lengths clear of her nearest foe.
Sunday (12/22)
8TH — KOUKLA (Northern Afleet) moved to the fore in late stretch and pulled
away thereafter with a decisive 2 1/4-length debut tally under Rafael Bejarano.
The expensive two-year-old purchase looks like a very good prospect going
forward for conditioner John Sadler and gave the impression of a filly who could
handle more ground, too.
The Mark Glatt-trained GOUYEN (Tribal Rule) swept to the front in early
stretch to hold a nice edge, and while she couldn’t match the winner, this miss
was five clear of third in a very good career bow. Tab the juvenile lass for
success in the very near future.
10TH — CALIFORNIA CHROME (Lucky Pulpit) made a big move on the turn for home
and poured it on late in a superb 6 1/4-length romp under Victor Espinoza. The
Art Sherman trainee ran fast for the distance and could be a strong
three-year-old if properly placed in 2014 as this was a solid field he made
short work of.
A Look Ahead
The racing action moves to “The Great Race Place” on Thursday. A pair of
Grade 1, $300,000 events for three-year-olds, the Malibu and La Brea for
fillies, highlight the opening day program. The Grade 2 Sir Beaufort, a one-mile
turf test for three-year-olds, will also be offered.