Hollywood Park news for December 20th: Grade 1 CashCall Futurity

Friday (12-19-08) Hollywood Park recap

Edge to stalk and pounce types on Cushion Track.

Hat trick for leading rider Rafael Bejarano. Delgadillo and Solis both booted home a pair.

Miss Singhsix took advantage of a pace battle between Caramel Coffee (2nd best) and Sheza Maneater to post a solid 1-3/4 length tally in the optional claiming feature.

Breeders Cup Juvenile

Saturday’s 10-race card is highlighted by the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity (featured below).

The 5th race, the $75k Cat’s Cradle Handicap, is my Myspace free selection of the day.

Hollywood Park race 8 (Grade 1 CashCall Futurity, 2yo, 8.5f)

(1) Azul Leon (6-1) – Much more effective sprinting at this stage.

(2) J P Jammer (20-1) – Good effort in Real Quiet. Jockey/trainer team 0-13.

(3) Hype (6-1) – Much improved pace figs on turf in latest. $300k Keeneland sales grad tries synthetic for Pletcher.

(4) Axel Foley (6-1) – Ran well in a pair of overseas synthetic races. Sprint oriented pedigree.

(5) Pioneerof the Nile (7-2) – Distant 3rd in Breeders Futurity and solid 5th in Breeders Cup Juvenile. Baffert has him now, and Gomez ends up here.

(6) Chocolate Candy (6-1) – Nice win in Real Quiet. On the improve and sports a fine pedigree. Bejarano ends up here.

(7) I Want Revenge (8-1) – Controlled the tempo in productive race maiden win. Versatile colt is one to keep an eye on down the road.

(8) Ventana (15-1) – The other Baffert stretches out and figures to attend the pace.

(9) Frumious (12-1) – Has won three straight versus lesser. Gets the acid test today.

(10) Bittel Road (9-2) – Decent turf runner for Pletcher. Versatile $340k purchase can contend if able to handle footing.

(11) Mr. Rod (12-1) – Speedy sort won the Generous (G3) on turf last time. Adds quality speed to lineup.

(12) Mark S the Cooler (30-1) – Maiden no threat in Real Quiet. Removes blinkers and ran better without them twice.

Analysis: Chocolate Candy is improving as distances increase, and I like the breeding with Candy Ride on top and Seattle Slew on bottom. Jerry Hollendorfer seems to have a Derby candidate on his hands. Pioneerof the Nile is out of Empire Maker, and I was a big fan of that one. His speed ratings are climbing and he gets pace to chase. Hype got involved earlier on turf last time, and it is a good sign that his overall speed rating went up in conjunction with his pace figs. Pletcher 22% turf/synthetic, and he should sit back and make a decent late run.

The $20 Play:
$12 to win Chocolate Candy
$6 quinella Pioneerof the Nile/Chocolate Candy
$2 quinella Hype/Chocolate Candy

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (12-18-08): Waveline and Schill did their thing, but Linda Lou scratched in the originally scheduled for the turf event, so all suggested trifecta wagers were refunded.

Overall: (-179.40) through 38 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Photo Credit: newscom.com