HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
DECEMBER 21, 2011
by John Mucciolo
The top juvenile males on the ground were on display this Saturday at
Hollywood Park.
CashCall Futurity (G1): Arnold Zetcher’s LIAISON moved three deep entering the
stretch and gamely held on in posting a neck tally for Bob
Baffert, giving the Hall of Fame trainer his sixth win in this race. The Indian
Charlie colt
endured 1 1/16 miles on the Cushion oval in 1:42 4/5 under Rafael Bejarano.
Track Stats
From a total of 44 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the
five-day race week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two betting
choices combined for 50 percent of the wins. From 33 frays contested on the
cushion oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (33 percent), while two of
the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (18 percent).
Favorites got off to a good start with six winners on Wednesday, but handicappers had a much tougher time with just eight winning favorites coming
through over the final 34 races during the week.
Wednesday saw four winner on the main track break from the rail, but only
four more came through over the next 25 races.
Speed was good on the Cushion oval from Friday through Sunday, with nine of
the 19 races on the main strip winning in wire-to-wire fashion.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 224 | |
| CUSHION: | 160 | |
| TURF: | 64 | |
| FAVORITES: | 92 (41 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 35 (16 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 13 (20 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 45 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (12/14)
2ND — ROWDY GAL ran down a clear leader in here in a fine win
for conditioner John Sadler. The juvenile Pure Prize filly has a lot of ability and could
be dangerous with a class rise next out.
7TH — MAGGIE MCGOWAN showed good speed in a solid run off the
long break in here for conditioner Doug O’Neill, and the sophomore Salt Lake lass should
be much tighter in her comebacker.
Thursday (12/15)
4TH — LIBERAL ARTS went unclaimed once again in this spot for
O’Neill and was a stylish, seven-length winner in this one under Joel Rosario.
The gelded sophomore will be nearly impossible to stop at this level in his
current form cycle.
6TH — UNCLE SAM ran a big one and was a bit unlucky in defeat for Baffert. The three-year-old
son of Tapit dueled early, disposed of that
foe in early stretch and kicked on, only to be nosed on the wire while fighting
gamely to the end. We like how push-button the sophomore is.
Friday (12/16)
8TH — HIGH SUCCESS was last after the opening half-mile but
rallied in a big way and was a game winner in this spot. The Kristin Mulhall
trainee responded to the class drop and looms a threat if properly placed next
time.
Saturday (12/17)
7TH — TENACIOUS THOMAS came off a long break and really
looked the part off the shelf for trainer Melody Conlon. The speedy Stormy
Atlantic colt was
never getting caught in this and could have a nice sophomore season in front of
him.
CONSULADO was clearly second best in this spot and is
another who could be worth watching into the 2012 season for trainer Mike Puype.
This was a fine debut for the More Than Ready colt from a barn not known for its prowess with debuting types.
Sunday (12/18)
7TH — HIS BOY ELROY hadn’t been seen since 2009, but finished
a very good second in this test for Puype. We’d expect the five-year-old to be
tough in his subsequent outing.
A Look Ahead
The racing moves to Santa Anita on December 26. Happy Holidays!