HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK
MAY 27, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
While Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet) was electrifying the racing world with
his athletic prowess en route to an authoritative Preakness S. (G1) victory on
Saturday, jockey Alex Solis was making some noise of his own, booting home five
winners at Hollywood Park while battling a sinus condition.
One of those victories came aboard STORM WOLF (Stormin Fever) in the Lazaro
Barrera Memorial S. (G2) for three-year-olds at seven furlongs on the Saturday
card. Dispatched as the overwhelming odds-on favorite in the race, Storm Wolf
overcame a bit of a tardy start from his rail post to set a pestered pace on the
front end. Once disposing of all pace pressure around the far turn, he settled
into the stretch with a daylight advantage and then drew clear to win by six
widening lengths. Dover Dere (Cherokee Run) raced within striking distance of
the leaders down the backstretch, and was able to outlast Ransom Demanded (Meadowlake)
for the place. The third-place finisher overcame a bumping incident in the
stretch, but failed to sustain his rally in deep stretch.
This was Storm Wolf’s initial foray into stakes competition for trainer Bruce
Headley, who saddled two other winners as well. All three winners were ridden by
the red-hot Solis.
On Sunday, yet another sprint stakes was contested. This time, juvenile
runners got a chance to strut their stuff in the Willard L. Proctor Memorial S.
at five furlongs. The race generated another popular result when even-money
favorite WILD UNCLE KURT (Swiss Yodeler) responded favorably to stalking tactics
en route to a decisive two-length victory. Outrun for the lead by maiden The
Missile Came (Golden Missile), jockey Isaias Enriquez settled toward the inside
on Wild Uncle Kurt while stalking the front runner during the early stages of
the race. The winner was maneuvered to the outside for a stretch bid and then
proceeded to reel in the pacesetter in the stretch before edging clear. The
Missile Came held determinedly to be a clear second, finishing five lengths to
the good of June’s Prince (Latin American).
Wild Uncle Kurt, a January foal from the precocious sire Swiss Yodeler, is
perfect in both career starts at Hollywood Park with Enriquez. He was purchased
for a paltry $14,000 as a yearling and has proven to be a profitable acquisition
for his connections.
Doug O’ Neill holds a tenuous single victory lead over Vladimir Cerin in the
trainer standings. Neil Drysdale has moved into third place as Bob Baffert
dropped a peg and is now fourth. Jack Carava and Headley are locked in a
dead heat for the fifth spot.
Victor Espinoza unseated Garret Gomez as the leading rider, with Gomez
trailing Espinoza by one victory. Solis vaulted into the third spot with his
sparkling day on Saturday, as Martin Pedroza and Tyler Baze share fourth place.
There no prevailing biases on the main track until Saturday, when inside
speed did particularly well. Speed continued to fare well on Sunday. The turf
course appeared to play uniformly all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/18)
1ST – BRING HOME THEGOLD (Silver Deputy) was clearly second best stepping up
a notch in class. Got caught behind a snail-like pace while in and among rivals.
Closed strongly once clear, chasing a home a multiple level class dropper while
well clear of the show horse.
5TH – AL YAFIL (Aus) (Secret Savings) cut back to 5 1/2 furlongs off a layoff
and was a strong third. Finished gamely in the stretch to just miss in a race
she needed. Fits well at this level.
7TH – FABULOUS GROOM (Fr) (Lord of Men) raced bottled up along the inside
behind a pedestrian pace down the backstretch. Was unable to secure racing room
despite attempts by his rider to move him off the inside. Finished under modest
encouragement in deep stretch when hopelessly trapped behind rivals.
Thursday (5/19)
2ND – KEEPMEINYOURHEART (Running Stag) had a troubled trip making her initial
career start. Broke a step slowly and was then forced to check shortly
thereafter. Improved her position around the far turn while wide and continued
to finish well late, weakening slightly in a good debut effort.
Friday (5/20)
4TH – HIDDEN BEAUTY (Cahill Road) stole away to a long lead off the claim and
returning from a much needed break. Rustiness began to show in midstretch, and
she yielded to the eventual winner while just relinquishing the place late.
Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort. Two of her three
career wins have come at Hollywood Park. Doesn’t need to have the lead.
6TH – MAXIMUM HEAT (Mr. Expo) was compromised by a troubled start in a
swiftly run sprint. Did well to gain the show late. Might benefit from a little
class relief.
Saturday (5/21)
6TH – APALACHEE TIGER (Tiger Ridge) ran sneaky well disputing the early
pace in the deeper part of the track off a prolonged layoff. Useful tightener
off the shelf and might appreciate a cutback in distance.
8TH – Ransom Demanded was a good third switching back to the main track.
Stakes-placed runner dispensed a strong move against the grain of an inside
speed favoring track and finished with good energy late. Would benefit from a
little class relief.
Sunday (5/22)
3RD – MEMO LADY (Memo [Chi]) heartbreaking second-place finish off the claim.
Came away from the gate slowly when unprepared at the start. Recovered to
dispute the pace along the rail and battled gamely to finish. Is eligible for a
restricted starter allowance contest.
6TH – DANTE’S INFERNO (In Excess [Ire]) got a good education race in debut.
Stumbled shortly after the break. Closed willingly while wide and was beaten
less then three lengths in a good effort. Trainer Mark Glatt is not known for
his prowess with debut runners. However, Dante’s Inferno’s sire, In Excess,
produces runners who win early in their career and do well on grass.