HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 10, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded events led the way at Hollywood Park.
Bayakoa H. (G2): Arnold Zetcher’s ZARDANA (Brz) (Crimson Tide) took
command inside the final furlong and inched clear to a 1 1/4-length tally
beneath Victor Espinoza. The in-form five-year-old went in 1:42 1/5 for 1 1/16
miles.
Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3): Super Horse Inc.’s KINSALE KING (Yankee
Victor) led at every call to post his first graded tally under Martin Garcia.
The gelded four-year-old sped six panels in 1:09 3/5 for trainer Carl O’
Callaghan.
TRACK STATS
From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the week,
favorites won at a 36 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for
55 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, 11
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (34 percent), while one of the 10 grassy
tussles went all the way on the lead (10 percent).
Speed was once again very good on the main oval, and while not every race was
taken in wire-to-wire fashion, many were and a slew of the others were won by
horses close early (we said the same last week).
Just two of the openers during the week were taken in wire-to-wire fashion,
but the percentage of wire jobs we’ve seen in the opening race since the meet
began has been extraordinarily high.
Friday yielded five wire-to-wire winners from six races on the Cushion
surface. The turf course, especially routes, give horses from off the pace more
of a chance than the grassy dashes do, to this point of the meeting.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 156 | |
| CUSHION: | 111 | |
| TURF: | 45 | |
| FAVORITES: | 54 (35 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 29 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 10 (22 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 41 (37 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 19 | |
| 1-3: | 63 | |
| 4-6: | 60 | |
| 7-out: | 34 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (12/2)
7TH — LIVE SUNDAYS (High Brite) battled back gamely after being passed in
the lane to post a brave tally in this one beneath Alex Solis. The gelded
sophomore has posted consecutive wins and is a state-bred runner to look for in
bigger events down the road.
Thursday (12/3)
4TH — Trainer Paddy Gallagher is not know for putting speed into his debut
runners, so the effort by CHICAGO GAL (Illinois Storm) in here is one hard to
ignore. We’ll tab the filly for a win very soon.
5TH — SAUCEY EVENING (More Than Ready) proved that she still has plenty in
the tank with a fine closing run to beat open foes in here for Graham Motion.
The talented miss got her final quarter-mile in a sparkling :22 1/5!
Friday (12/4)
3RD — Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) third FREE FLYING SOUL (Quiet
American) proved that her fine run last out was no fluke when dominating a solid
field for Bruce Headley. The four-year-old filly will probably show up in the La
Brea S. (G1) on opening day at Santa Anita.
Saturday (12/5)
6TH — A PLUS TOPPER (Old Topper) gave this field little chance in the
stretch with a powerful debut showing for the capable Michael Machowsky. The
speedy California-bred has enough stamina influence from his dam’s side to
presumably stretch out some, and the gelding didn’t look tired here.
Sunday (12/6)
3RD — Machowsky has another live juvenile in his barn with CARACORTADO (Cat
Dreams), who rolled to his second straight at the meeting. He could be any type.
5TH — We were very impressed with first-time starter HAWAIIAN SPRINGS
(Stephen Got Even), who rallied boldly from last to win going away for
conditioner Kathy Walsh. Bred to run all day, the freshman colt could be on the
radar for some time with the expected improvement.
8TH — The oft-mentioned DELTA STORM (Storm Boot) put in yet another strong
showing for trainer Mike Mitchell, battling gamely to the wire before ultimately
finishing second under jockey Rafael Bejarano. The brilliant claim shows he has
plenty left as he nears his nine-year-old campaign.
A LOOK AHEAD
Saturday’s $100,000 Native Diver H. (G3) is the lone graded test over the
weekend and will feature the return of seven-year-old gelding LAVA MAN (Slew
City Slew), who was last seen recording an unplaced finish in the 2008 Eddie
Read (G1). The $5 million-earner has been brought back out of retirement by
trainer Doug O’Neill, who is also expected to send out Grade 1 winner SQUARE
EDDIE (Smart Strike).