Sunday (1-4-09) Fair Grounds recap
Fast track and off the turf. A pair of wire jobs with an edge to horses with positional speed on the main.
Riding double for Jamie Theriot.
Fort Denmark (Miguel Mena-Angel Montano) surged late to neck my top choice Geocache (Torres-Ducoing) in the exciting maiden claiming finale. The runner-up ran too good to lose. Uncle Josh (Lonnie Meche-Michelle Lovell) overcame a poor start to sweep to the lead turning for home, but he understandably weakened late from his earlier adventures. He ended up a good 3rd and is worth following.

Monday (1-5-09) Fair Grounds preview
Monday’s 10-race card …read more

The highly anticipated 2009 Gulfstream Park meet begins on Saturday with a wide open renewal of the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope Handicap.
Former Louisiana Downs racing secretary Doug Bredar takes over that same post at the Gulf. He did a great job for us last year, and look for more of the same in Florida. Good luck Doug!
The Hal’s Hope will be run at a flat mile around one turn, and early/pressing types from middle to outer posts dominated at this distance last year. Bribon (5-1) fell too far back in the Cigar Mile (G1) last time. Alan Garcia rides the …read more

Friday (1-2-09) Fair Grounds recap
Edge to early/pressing types for most of the day. Off the pace types nabbed the final two main track races carded. Stalkers and closers ruled the weeds once again.
Corey Lanerie booted home a pair, and Shaun Bridgmohan/Steve Asmussen teamed up for two wins on the card.
Parker Run (race 7) showed surprising speed in his turf sprint comeback. He ended up a solid 3rd after battling with fav Nereus (4th) from the outset. Expect him to revert to patient tactics next time.
Cya Later Bert (race 9) rallied for the show from the negative rail …read more

Sunday (12-14-08) Hollywood Park recap
Early/pressing types dominated on Cushion Track. The lone turf sprint carded was taken by a stalker.
Four-bagger for Rafael Bejarano. Michael Baze booted home a pair.
Star Nicholas (drifted in) outfinished Partywithlarry Z (stretch traffic) to nab to the $75k On Trust Handicap. Post time favorite Dancing In Silks set a pressured pace and finished a solid 3rd.

Wednesday (12-17-08) Hollywood Park preview
Wednesday’s 8-race card looks a bit chalky, but there is some value to be had in a few races.
Race 1: One Vote (7-5) looms the controlling speed at low odds under …read more

Saturday (12-13-08) Hollywood Park recap
Early/pressing types dominated on both surfaces.
Hat trick for Joel Rosario.
Laragh grabbed the early lead as expected. She turned back a few backstretch challengers before gamely prevailing by a length in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet. Edgar Prado rode the turf/synthetic specialist for John Terranova II.
Sunday (12-14-08) Hollywood Park preview
Sunday’s 9-race card features the $75k On Trust Handicap, to be contested at the unusual distance of seven and one-half furlongs on Cushion Track. Likely favorite Dancing in Silks was last seen finishing 2nd behind Into Mischief in the Damascus at Oak Tree.
The …read more

Friday (12-12-08) Hollywood Park recap
Edge to early/pressing types on Cushion Track. Turf course favored stalkers.
Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano. Martin Garcia booted home a pair, and Doug O’Neill saddled two winners on the card.
Informed (Gryder/O’Neill) came again to gamely nab the optional claiming Cushion Track feature by 1/12 lengths. The son of Tiznow ran 8.5f in 1:41.53 and paid $7.00 as the 2nd betting choice.

Saturday (12-13-08) Hollywood Park preview
Saturday’s 10-race card features the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $85,503.
Laragh is the one to catch and beat in the …read more

Thursday (12-11-08) Hollywood Park recap
Edge to stalking types on Cushion Track. The lone turf race carded was won by an off the pace type.
Joel Rosario and Joe Talamo both booted home a pair.
Serra Song got the job done by a head as the even money fav in the feature race for the profitable Espinoza/Mandella team. Lucky Honey (Bejarano/Mitchell) ran too good to lose while well clear of the rest.

Friday (12-12-08) Hollywood Park preview
Friday’s 8-race card includes a trio of turf races. The optional claiming Cushion Track feature is lead by 2-1 fav Limestone Edge (Kent D/Hess).
The 4th …read more

Thursday (12-11-08) Fair Grounds recap
The Thursday card from Fair Grounds was canceled because of unsafe track conditions caused by a surprise winter snow storm.
Friday (12-12-08) Fair Grounds preview
Friday’s 11-race card features four grass sprints and another Pick 6 carryover.
Weather: Partly Cloudy. High 55.
Race 6: Pick 6 starts here with a carryover of $10,151. Wide open claiming sprint. Inside three posts have been rolling at this distance recently. Cheaperthansandee (9-2) breaks from the cozy rail under James Graham, and Southern Soprano (7-2) is the well-drawn fav.
Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.
Race 11: Mafia …read more

Wednesday (12-10-08) Hollywood Park recap
Edge to early/pressing types on Cushion Track. Both turf sprints were taken by stalkers.
Joel Rosario booted home a pair.
Delta Storm (Gryder/Mitchell) dropped out of the stakes ranks and found the winners’ circle in the optional claiming turf sprint feature.
Thursday (12-11-08) Hollywood Park preview
Wednesday’s 8-race card includes seven Cushion Track events and decent field sizes. The 2nd race, a straight maiden turf route, is the lone grass race carded.
The 4th race, a starter allowance route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 4 (Str-Alw, 2yo fil, 6.5f)
(1) Forty Dates (2-1) – Second in …read more

Sunday (12-07-08) Hollywood Park recap
Early/pressing types dominated on Cushion Track. A pair of wire jobs in the four turf races carded.
Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano (2 turf wins), and Michael Baze booted home a pair on the turf.
Figeac blew the first turn in the grassy 2nd. She opened up a huge lead down the backside and gamely held the place behind runaway chalky winner Cavanal.
Briecat (Court/Cerin) never looked back in a sharp victory over fav Model in the 27th Bayakoa Handicap. The wire job winner paid $28.80.

Wednesday (12-10-08) Hollywood Park preview
Wednesday’s 8-race card features …read more