HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
MAY 26, 2010
by John Mucciolo
A single graded contest took the spotlight at Hollywood Park.
Lazaro Barrera Memorial S. (G3): Klein and Lebherz’s SMILING TIGER
(Hold That Tiger) sped to the lead early beneath jockey Victor Espinoza and
would not be denied late in picking up his first graded win. The fleet colt
stopped the teletimer in 1:21 1/5 for trainer Jeff Bonde while a half-length
clear under the wire.
Track Stats
From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
five-day race week, favorites won at a 50 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 67 percent of the wins. From 27 frays contested on the
Cushion oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while two of
the 15 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (13 percent).
A pair of horses went wire-to-wire on the main oval from Wednesday through
Friday, one coming in a 4 1/2-furlong baby dash. On Saturday, the last three
Cushion races were led at every call, meaning only three of 24 winners through
the rest of the week were taken by speedsters.
The lack of wire jobs coincides with only a single runner breaking from the
innermost post and winning for the week.
It continues to be somewhat of a feast-or-famine meeting, as favorites are
doing incredibly well, but if they fail, anything seems possible.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 199 | |
| CUSHION TRACK: | 140 | |
| TURF: | 59 | |
| FAVORITES: | 84 (42 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 35 (18 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 12 (20 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 34 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/19)
5TH — BOGIE (Ire) (Pivotal) showed a sharp turn of foot to score here,
turning in his second commendable performance since arriving in the United
States for conditioner Paddy Gallagher. The sophomore went his final
five-sixteenths in a strong :29 2/5.
7TH — BURG BERG (Johannesburg) did everything right but hang on late in
another consistent showing for Paco Gonzalez.
Thursday (5/20)
7TH — BRUSHBURN (Unusual Heat) was powerful late in this 12-furlong test,
drawing clear to a nice tally under Brice Blanc. Trained by Steve Knapp, the
California-bred gelding is in very good form and should be a big threat in his
next engagement.
8TH — The Peter Miller-trained COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie) just missed
in a sharp debut effort, and we expect that the juvenile gelding won’t be a
maiden for long.
Friday (5/21)
5TH — UNZIP ME (City Zip) made very short work of a talented bunch and
continues to climb the ladder for turf sprinters for trainer Marty Jones. Four
for four this season, the superb filly stretched her win streak to five while
getting her final quarter-mile in :22 3/5 and will return to the graded level
next time.
Saturday (5/22)
1ST — ENRICHED (High Brite) was awesome in here, winning by 9 1/4 lengths
and finishing the one-mile turf event in a rapid 1:33 1/5 for conditioner Doug
O’Neill. The gelded five-year-old could have a big summer and bears watching
wherever he lands.
7TH — RAPPORT (Songandaprayer) showed little rust from a lengthy layoff in
smoking this field on the front for Bob Baffert. The speedy sophomore filly will
be very tough versus winners in her return.
A Look Ahead
The Holiday Weekend brings forth a fine trio of graded turf events; Saturday
plays host to the $250,000 Gamely S. (G1) while the Monday card is led by the
$250,000 Shoemaker Mile S. (G1) and the $150,000 Honeymoon H. (G2).