HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 6, 2006
by John Mucciolo
An upset in the Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) and a well-matched field in the
Bayakoa H. (G2) highlighted the week of racing at Hollywood Park. The Cushion
Track seemed to favor horses from coming from off the pace this week, while the
synthetic surface also yielded some rapid times in routes and sprints alike.
Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3): Everest Stables’ homebred SAILORS SUNSET
(Petionville) set rapid early splits and never looked back in earning his first
graded score. The three-year-old gelding went the half-mile in :44 for trainer
Marcelo Polanco, before finishing off six panels in a rapid 1:07 3/5, setting a
track record in the process. The much improved gray was the only horse more than
6-1 on the toteboard and rewarded his backers with a $28.80 win mutual.
Bayakoa H. (G2): The Carla Gaines-trained FOXYSOX (GB) (Foxhound) was
last halfway through the race but closed mightily to earn a tally in her main
track debut. The talented chestnut caught a clear Round Heels (Ire) (Daggers
Drawn) late in the stretch and completed the 1 1/16 miles in a useful 1:41 4/5.
Owned by Warren Williamson, the Tattersalls graduate now boasts three graded
wins and nearly $450,000 in earnings.
Track Stats
From a total of 42 races held over the Hollywood Park racetrack, favorites
won at a 31 percent clip, and the top two betting choices combined for 52
percent of the wins for the week. From 33 frays contested on the main oval, just
18 percent of all winners won in wire-to-wire fashion, while two of the nine
grassy tussles were taken all the way on the lead. Thursday was most helpful for
horses coming from off the pace, as not a single race was taken on the lead on
either surface, while Friday yielded six winners coming from the first two
betting options.
Meet totals for Hollywood are as follows:
| RACES: | 213 | |
| DIRT: | 155 | |
| TURF: | 58 | |
| FAVORITES: | 65 (30 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 36 (17 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 7 (12 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 35 (23 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (11/29)
1ST – LITTLEBITOFZIP (Littlebitlively) took the lead out of the gate, got
passed in midstretch and fought back gamely in a fine runner-up performance
under Martin Pedroza. The Marcelo Polanco trainee has been in miserable form
versus better but seems to have found the correct class level.
Thursday (11/30)
6TH – The David Hoffmans-conditioned SETAFIRE (Jump Start) stormed home from
last to break her maiden in fine fashion beneath Alex Solis. The freshman filly
had been knocking on the door as of late and finally broke through with a win,
registering a strong 95 BRIS Late Pace figure in the process.
Friday (12/01)
8TH – ANGEL EYED (Tactical Cat) earned just a modest 80 BRIS Speed number
after this tally, but the two-year-old lass was clearly the best of this group.
Trained by Christopher Paasch, the gray was never threatened and got her final
quarter-mile in solid :24 1/5, suggesting that a stretch out may be in the works
for her next outing.
Saturday (12/02)
2ND – Sailors Sunset was never backing up and fought off a stern challenge
from champion Declan’s Moon (Malibu Moon) on his way to victory. Being only a
three-year-old and improving with every try, the gelding should be one to watch
for months to come. The sophomore earned a career best 102 BRIS Speed figure for
his work.
5TH – LIMITED CREOLE (Cactus Creole) was easily the best in this one and
showed a nice rating tactic before crushing a fine group late for Peter Miller.
The gelded sophomore is stakes quality and merits attention right back. The
winner earned a 92 BRIS Speed figure.
A Look Ahead
We’ll see turf marathoners contest 1 1/2 miles on Saturday in the prestigious
$250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1). The following day, the $100,000 Native
Diver H. (G3) will be contested for three-year-olds and up.
On December 16, freshmen take the spotlight in the $250,000 Hollywood
Futurity S. (G1), not to be outdone by their female counterparts in the $250,000
Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) the next day. The $150,000 Dahlia S. (G2) for fillies
and mare going 1 1/16 miles on the grass caps off the graded stakes festivities
for the meet on December 18.