Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 30, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A slew of graded races headlined the Hollywood Turf Festival.

Hollywood Derby (G1): B J Wright's ULTIMATE EAGLE capped a huge

weekend for owner and trainer Michael Pender in taking this field all the way.

The streaking son of Mizzen Mast continued his winning ways, notching his fourth

straight score when completing 1 1/4 miles in 2:01 2/5, and was expertly handled

by Martin Pedroza.

Matriarch S. (G1): George Krikorian's homebred STAR BILLING put in her

bid in early stretch and ran down a clear leader en route to a half-length win

under Victor Espinoza. The sophomore daughter of Dynaformer stopped the

teletimer in 1:35 2/5 over the firm lawn for trainer John Shirreffs.

Citation H. (G2): B J Wright's JERANIMO made a huge move while

five-wide in the lane and stormed clear to a decisive, 2 3/4-length tally in

this one under Garrett Gomez. The talented five-year-old son of Congaree endured

1 1/16 miles on the firm lawn in a superb 1:40 4/5 for Pender.

Generous S. (G3): Gary and Cecil Barber's STONEY FLEECE took command

in early stretch and was never seriously challenged from there in posting a 1

1/4-length tally beneath Joel Rosario. The John Sadler trainee got one mile on

the firm lawn in a solid 1:34 3/5.

Hollywood Prevue S. (G3): Arnold Zetcher's SO BRILLIANT got the best

of a long duel and held gamely in the lane to post a half-length score for

conditioner Bob Baffert. The unbeaten Medaglia d'Oro juvenile got his seven

panels in 1:22 4/5 to post his first stakes win.

Miesque S. (G3): Newtown Anner Stud's MORE THAN LOVE justified her

even-money status with a game win in this one for trainer John Terranova. By

More Than Ready, the East Coast import endured one mile on the firm lawn in 1:36

1/5 in winning by a nose.

Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3): JMJ Racing Stables' PACIFIC OCEAN sped to

the front, set rapid splits, and never stopped in garnering a 2 1/4-length win

in here for trainer Mike Mitchell. The four-year-old gelding got six panels on

the Cushion oval in a snappy 1:08 2/5 beneath Rosario.

Track Stats

From a total of 38 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the

four-day race week, favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the

cushion oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while one of

the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (8 percent).

We continue to believe that both ovals play fairly and consistently. Most of

the winners on the main oval broke from posts 4-6 (15 of 25 races), but we

consider that to be somewhat random.

The turf continues to give all types of runners a chance, though we still

have a preference for those who are in the first or second flight early on.

Meet Totals

RACES:		103
CUSHION:		74
TURF:		29
FAVORITES:		44 (43 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		12 (11 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (17 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:		15 (20 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (11/24)

2ND -- The Baffert-trained SKY KINGDOM showed big improvement in this one and

could be an interesting Kentucky Derby prospect going forward. The two-year-old

son of Empire Maker is bred to run all day and should progress as the distances

increase.

4TH -- RAVEN WILD put in a powerful run from way back in this one to graduate

in sharp fashion for trainer Ron Ellis. The sophomore miss could win right back.

Friday (11/25)

3RD -- Shirreffs unveiled a fine-looking debut winner on this day with BLINGO,

who powered past this field in posting a convincing, 2 1/2-length tally here.

The Artie Schiller gelding appears to have a very bright future.

4TH -- GENIUS looked like just that in this debut run for Baffert, gliding

home a superb debut victor under Martin Garcia. The sophomore Smart Strike colt

got a late start to the races, but should make a lot of noise in 2012.

Saturday (11/26)

7TH -- TEN DEVILS never really had room to accelerate in his first start

since the spring, and we think the Mandella charge will be live if placed in a

similar spot in his comebacker.

Sunday (11/27)

3RD -- SMASH was confidently handled throughout in here and should be graded

stakes bound in his next stop. The Baffert charge always runs big and should be

bound for the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes bound on December 26.

6TH -- MARYJEAN was professional in winning at first asking for the hot Vann

Belvior barn. The juvenile D'wildcat filly was hammered at the windows in this

big field, and rightfully so, and we think she could easily win next time.

10TH -- MACHO ROCKET gave Baffert another promising debut winner in this

finale, over what we thought was an excellent maiden field. The $825,000

two-year-old purchase led at every call and held gamely late in a smart showing.

A Look Ahead

Sunday's Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap and the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap on

Saturday, headlines the weekend action at Hollywood Park.