Hollywood Park news and notes (11-27-08): Happy Thanksgiving

Wednesday (11-26-08) Hollywood Park recap

Turf races switched to Cushion Track surface that favored early/pressing types.

Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair, and Clifford Sise Jr. saddled two winners on the card.

Thursday (11-27-08) Hollywood Park preview

Thursday’s 8-race Thanksgiving Day card features the $65k Playa del Rey (race 6) and War Chant Stakes (race 7).

Photo Credit: Newscom

The 6th race, the aforementioned Playa del Rey, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 6 ($65k Playa del Rey, f&m 3up, 6f)

(1) Bsharpsonata (3-1) – Has not been seen since Black-Eyed Susan flop in May. Pletcher has her now.

(2) Highland Torree (8-1) – Late runner is a 2-time local winner. Exits $100k show finish.

(3) Peppermint Lounge (4-1) – Early/pressing type steps up from allowance ranks in search of four bagger.

(4) Coco Belle (8-1) – Likely pacesetter is 3-5 at this distance.

(5) Lovely Isle (5-2) – Speedy miss loves this distance but is 0-3 over synthetic.

(6) Tizzy’s Tune (5-1) – Packs a decent stretch kick in sprints. Baffert takes over the training duties.

(7) Foxy Danseur (6-1) – Sharp stalker has earned triple digit late pace figs last pair.

Analysis: This Cushion Track sprint distance has favored early/pressing types from inner posts overall with a recent trend toward pressers from inner to middle posts. Foxy Danseur is deadly in sprints for the 57% Smith/Paasch team. She projects a great outside stalk and pounce trip. Tizzy’s Tune is a serious late threat. Peppermint Lounge beat my top by a head in Sept. and could sit the garden spot trip.

The $20 Play:

Daily Wager recap

Wednesday (11-26-08): Exquisite stalked the pace as expected, but he faded to last…not cool.

Overall: (-106.40) through 21 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Photo Credit: Newscom