Hollywood Park news and notes (11-29-08): Turf Festival day 2
November 28, 2008 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under California Racing, Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Synthetic Tracks, Trainers
Friday (11-28-08) Hollywood Park recap
Early/pressing types held the edge on Cushion Track. Turf played fair in the two stakes races as pace made the race.
Tyler Baze booted home a pair, including sharp wire job aboard Hyperbaric in the Grade 1 Citation.
In the Grade 3 Miesque, Habaya (Kiaran McLaughlin) received a heady ride from The Mig and was able to hold off my top Internallyflawless (Gomez-Baffert), who was stuck in traffic before launching a late wide rally from the back of the pack.
Saturday (11-29-08) Hollywood Park preview
Saturday’s 10-race Turf Festival (Day 2) card features the Grade 3 Generous and Grade 3 Hollywood Turf Express.
My racingonthenet free selection is the 2nd race from Hollywood.
My MySpace free selection of the day is the 9th race from Hollywood Park.
The 5th race, the Grade 3 Generous, is featured below.
Hollywood Park race 5 (Grade 3 Generous, 2yo, 8T)
(1) Bittel Road (9-5) – Surprisingly part of strong pace in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile turf. Expect patient handling today. YouTube replay of his maiden win posted below.
(2) Mr. Rod (6-1) – Exits turf sprint maiden win. Pace factor at most today.
(3) Hype (7-2) – Packs potent late kick.
(4) Battle of Hastings (6-1) – Improving overseas invader on 2-race win streak. Mullins trains now.
(5) Mensa Heat (20-1) – Cal bred son of Unusual Heat should love turf, but this is a tough spot.
(6) Insurgence (12-1) – Sharp Woodbine maiden turf win with blinkers.
(7) Bourbon Bay (3-1) – Too late in optional claiming prep for this. Drysdale adds blinkers.
(8) Liturgical (20-1) – Nothing in a pair of US starts for O’Neill.
Analysis: Bourbon Bay appeared to be going nowhere fast last time, but he somehow kicked it in late to just miss. Maybe blinkers will get him in the bit and help him keep his mind on business. Bejarano shows up here. Bittel Road should appreciate the switch to the patient Mike Smith, and he has a target in Mr. Rod. Battle of Hastings is the mystery horse.
The $20 Play:
$8 to win Bourbon Bay
$8 exacta Bourbon Bay/Bittel Road
$4 quinella Battle of Hastings/Bourbon Bay
Daily Wager recap
Friday (11-28-08): Nailed the suggested $6 Hyperbaric-Formal Decree quinella ($31.80) and cleared $75.40 on the race.
Overall: (-51) through 23 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.
