Hollywood Park news and notes (11-26-08): $128,073 Pick 6 carryover

Sunday (11-23-08) Hollywood Park recap

A trio of wire jobs on a Cushion Track surface that played fair overall. A stalk and pounce type nabbed the lone turf race carded.

Clinton Potts and Martin Pedroza both booted home a pair.

It was nice to see Jack o’ Lantern nab the Hollywood Prevue (G3) for ailing trainer Richard Matlow, even though it was at the expense of my top choice Ventana (Bob Baffert), who ran an improved race to finish in a dead-heat for 3rd. Below is a YouTube replay of the Hollywood Prevue.

Wednesday (11-26-08) Hollywood Park preview

Wednesday’s 8-race card features a Pick 6 (races 3-8) carryover of $128,073.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 6th race from Hollywood Park.

The 7th race, an allowance synthetic route for fillies and mares, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 7 (Alw-2x, f&m 3up, 8.5f)

(1) Double Dip (4-1) – Tactical speed and rail post for profitable low profile trainer. Gomez hops aboard.

(2) Street Match (8-1) – Late runner does best work at Hollywood. 0-4 at this level.

(3) Forest Melody (3-1) – Turf specialist has the speed to succeed.

(4) Vanguarda (4-1) – Cannot find last win. 0-5 synthetic and 0-4 at distance.

(5) Exquisite (7-2) – New Zealand transplant has never tried synthetic. Owns fine combo of tactical speed/stamina.

(6) Eclatante (6-1) – Respectable local prep versus similar. Cecil 22% 2nd off a layoff.

(7) Wind And Dyne (3-1) – Off the pace type has completed exacta four times at this level.

Analysis: This Cushion Track sprint distance has played fair overall with a recent trend toward early/pressing types from inner to middle posts. A slow early/fast late race shape could favor Exquisite, so I’ll lean in her direction.

The $20 Play:

Daily Wager recap

Sunday (11-23-08): Ventana stopped our recent momentum with a dead-heat show finish.

Overall: (-86.40) through 20 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.