Musket Man won his 1st three sprint starts and was hardly disgraced in Sam Davis show finish (post 9) at this distance here last time. He projects a ground saving stalking trip at playable odds. He sports a pair of local bullets for this, and note that he defeated Sam Davis winner General Quarters on Jan 17th. Leading rider Daniel Centeno hops aboard.

Sumo (Fusaichi Pegasus) finished a clear 2nd from disadvantageous outer post in Sam Davis. Graham Motion trainee is on the improve and lands a better post for this. He reunites with winning pilot Jeremy Rose and could easily find the winners’ circle today.

Nowhere To Hide is on the upswing for Nick Zito (pictured) since adding blinkers, and he chose this over the Louisiana Derby. $250k Keenland sales grad has the right stalking style.

Hello Broadway (Broken Vow) did all of the dirty work in Hutcheson return. Barclay Tagg runner tries a route of ground for the 1st time and figures in the thick of things throughout if he handles this tricky surface. He earned triple digit figs in his last two and sports a Gulfstream bullet for this.

General Quarters (Sky Mesa) exits a sharp Sam Davis score (replay below) versus similar, but a few key post switches could leave him losing ground this time.

Bear’s Rocket tried dirt for the first time and promptly finished 2nd in the Holy Bull at the Gulf on Jan 31st. He’s an outside speed presence at the very least.

Warrior’s Reward landed the place behind Todd Pletcher’s promising Derby hopeful Dunkirk at the Gulf last time. Stretch runner should get pace to chase.

Join In The Dance (Sky Mesa) returned from a layoff to finish 2nd behind subsequent Gotham runner-up Imperial Council in a Gulfstream sprint last time. Todd Pletcher’s colt looms the one to catch, but as I stated earlier, it is tough to wire the field at this distance.

Top Seed is once again hung out to dry in outside post. He is 3-3 sprinting and might be better around one turn.

Justdontcallmejeri is a consistent SoCal shipper for Doug O’Neill, who claimed this one for $32k in November. He gives dirt a whirl and remains eligible for an entry level spot.

Perfect Bull drew the rail and goes turf/dirt. He owns the lowest speed ratings and would have to improve leaps and bounds to compete here.

Top 3 Selections: (1) Musket Man, (2) Sumo, (3) Nowhere To Hide

Longshot To Watch: Warrior’s Reward

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride-Seattle Slew) continues his Kentucky Derby march, and he needs a win here to boost his graded earnings. He’s won 3 of his last 4, with his lone loss in that timeframe a fine 3rd to Pioneerof The Nile in the CashCall Futurity (G1). He nabbed the local prep for this and is training forwardly for Jerry Hollendorfer. Russell Baze got to know him last time, and seemingly the longer the better for this promising, well-bred sort. Below is a replay of his Real Quiet Stakes victory at Hollywood Park (11-8-08).

Rendezvous (Victory Gallop) has won three straight, including last pair here for new trainer Hollendorfer. He’s an exacta threat at a price.

Axel Foley (Officer) ran an improve race to land the place in the Cal Derby here last out, and he adds blinkers in hopes of turning the tables on formidable fav Chocolate Candy. With Square Eddie suffering from shin problems, this colt may be Doug O’Neill’s best chance at making the Kentucky Derby. Note that he owns a sprint oriented pedigree, so nine furlongs could be pushing the envelope.

Massone (Menifee) is a consistent SoCal invader for veteran trainer Ron McAnally. He finished a solid 2nd in first start versus winners at Santa Anita, but note that winner Shafted came back to disappoint in Robert Lewis Stakes (G2).

A Quick Sting (Score Quick) will carve out the splits from the rail, and Mel Stute’s 1-17 colt can hang on for a minor award.

Completing the six pack is Raising Memo (Grey Memo), who always runs his race. He handles the local synthetic footing and owns positional speed, but he steps up from the claiming ranks and seems up against it.

Top 3 selections: (1) Chocolate Candy, (2) Rendezvous, (3) Axel Foley

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Square Eddie made an immediate impact when sent to the US in the fall of 2008, as he rolled to a sharp win over Keeneland’s Polytrack in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity.

The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was next on his dance card, and he ran a big race to land the place behind likely 2yo champ Midshipman.

The son of Smart Strike ran six times last year, so he has plenty of foundation heading into his 3yo season. I do not expect him to be fully cranked for the San Rafael, but he is capable of winning nonetheless. The Doug O’Neill charge will be ridden by regular pilot Rafael Bejarano.

2008 Breeders Cup Juvenile replay featuring SQUARE EDDIE

Charlie’s Moment (Indian Charlie) should offer value at 10-1 on the line. He won a stakes event at Fairplex and has valuable route/stakes experience.

Brother Keith (Johar) is the wild card for Robert Frankel. He looked good in his debut sprint win at Churchill in November. He tries a route of synthetic ground in his stakes debut off a layoff, and the $150k Keeneland sales grad is one to keep an eye on.

The Pamplemousse drew the rail and is on the improve for the red hot Julio Canani. He has shown running style versatility, and the recent graduate gets tested for class in this graded event.

Fiddlers Afleet fired in all seven of his New York starts. Versatile sort has never tried synthetic ground and is best used underneath if at all.

Ryehill Dancer ships in from Ireland and makes his first start since August for new trainer John Shirreffs. He placed in a group two and has some turf talent, but he has never tried a route or tested synthetic.

Papa Clem (Smart Strike) controlled the pace in local maiden win versus Mayor Marv, who is favored to graduate in today’s 3rd race. He reunites with Tyler Baze and looms a pace factor at the very least.

Feisty Suances rounds out the field. He is fast and will take them as far as he can. The gritty Cal-bred is probably not good enough to win but could hang on for a share. Note that he is cross entered in the $100k California Derby at Golden Gate, and he would meet Jerry Hollendorfer’s talented stretch runner Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride) and BC Juvenile 7th place finisher Gallant Son.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Sloppy track and off the turf. Main oval played fair.

Shaun Bridgmohan/Steve Asmussen teamed up for three wins on the day. Riding double for Pat Valenzuela, and Doug O’Neill saddled a pair of winners.

Handsome Fee (race 7) held on by a neck in a vintage PVal wire job. Salic Law was grinding away and finished well clear of the rest. It was deja vu all over again in the finale with President Elect.

Thursday (1-8-09) Fair Grounds preview

Thursday’s 10-race card includes a Pick 6 carryover of $5,910.

Weather: Mostly sunny. High 67.

Race 6: Jeramantha (5-1) ran well for me at this level in her lone dirt start (mud) at Louisiana Downs in October. She’s back in for a tag and hails from the 21% Torres/Duhon team.

Race 7: Horticulture (6-1) drops off a layoff for her recently hot new trainer Andrew McKeever. She was in a pair of productive turf races at Colonial Downs and Churchill when last seen over the summer.

Race 8: My Friend Told (6-1) receives a rider upgrade to Francisco Torres, and high % trainer Maynard Chatters is 38% 3rd off a layoff.

My Friend Told – Dec 19th Fair Grounds replay

Race 9: Outstanding mare Tortuga Flats (7-5) returns to the turf after a distant show finish in a state bred stakes sprint here last time. She is 11-14 lifetime on the weeds.

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Four wire jobs on Cushion Track. The lone turf sprint was taken off the turf.

Martin Pedroza and Joel Rosario both booted home a pair. Long day for Rafael Bejarano as he lost five times on well-back horses. Doug O’Neill saddled two winners on the card.

One Track Mind (race 7) controlled proceedings throughout in a good looking optional claiming route wire job.

Horse Art by Cholla

Thursday (12-18-08) Hollywood Park preview

Thursday’s 8-race card includes a Pick 6 carryover of $75,502.

The 5th race (featured below), originally scheduled for turf, will be run at 8.5f on Cushion Track.

Hollywood Park race 5 (MSW, 2yo fil, 8.5f)

(1) Rare Sparkle – Scratched.

(2) Haka – Rallied for minor awards 1st two outings.

(3) Always Pretty – Up from maiden claimers for winless barn.

(4) Dailies – Kathy Walsh 1-30 first time starters.

(5) Brooke’s Fantasy – Decent 2nd in turf route last time.

(6) Saint Cindy – Scratched.

(7) Irish Torrent – Adds lasix following 6th place turf bow.

(8) Elegant Miss – Scratched.

(9) Nan – Scratched.

(10) Michael’s Rose — Scratched.

(11) Where’s Scarlet – Removes the hood and tries a route.

Analysis: Where’s Scarlet looms an interesting contender. William Currin is 64% (11-race sample) 1st route, and check out that local bullet on Dec 10th. Haka tries Cushion Track after a place finish in the Belmont slop and a 3rd in a local turf route. Clement 22% 2nd lasix.

The $20 Play:
$12 to win Where’s Scarlet
$4 Exacta box Haka/Where’s Scarlet ($8)

Daily Wager recap

Wednesday (12-17-08): Bartok’s Magic was a pace factor before throwing in the towel down the stretch.

Overall: (-159.40) through 36 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 Starlet, and speed has been kind in 8.5f races recently. Below is a YouTube replay of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, featuring Laragh.

The 4th race, an entry level turf route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 4 (Alw-1x, f&m 3up, 8T)

(1) Love To Siphon (5-1) – Exits good looking stalk and pounce maiden win.

(2) Le Cirque (12-1) – Winless last two years and 1-21 overall.

(3) Lullabytime (8-1) – 3yo claiming win when last seen at Oak Tree.

(4) Quid Non (8-1) – Speed/fade in last 3 turf starts.

(5) Profitability (4-1) – Second to subsequent graded winner Briecat in Turf Paradise turfer last time.

(6) Excitement (5-1) – Purse nibbler in 5 similar outings.

(7) Tripped the Light (2-1) – Sharp filly has fired off the pace shots in 7 straight. Just missed in last pair versus similar.

(8) Divine Legacy (8-1) – No threat in 2 turf starts. 1st start since July.

Analysis: Lullabytime earned a quality late pace fig in a claiming win at this distance last time. She has fired in all three turf outings and could be up to allowance foes. Tripped the Light always runs her race and will be rolling late for Bejarano/Hollendorfer.

The $20 Play:

Daily Wager recap

Friday (12-12-08): Mark Set Go carved out the splits as expected and lead until deep stretch…but was outfinished late.

Overall: (-119.40) through 33 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Laragh Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Hat trick for Tyler Baze. Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair. Doug O’Neill saddled two winners on Friday night.

Saturday (11-22-08) Hollywood Park recap

Edge to early/pressing types on both surfaces.

Four bagger for Garrett Gomez. John Sadler saddled a pair of winners on the card.

Johnny Eves got back on the beam with a gritty stalk and pounce tally in the Grade 3 Underwood. Bob Black Jack needed the outing as expected. Six furlongs in 1:07.90.

Sunday (11-23-08) Hollywood Park preview

Sunday’s 9-race card features the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue and includes a Super High 5 carryover of $55,778 (race 9).

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 4th race from Hollywood Park.

The 8th race, the aforementioned Hollywood Prevue, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 8 (Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue, 2yo, 7f)

(1) Jack O’ Lantern (15-1) – Added blinkers and won smartly in high end maiden claimer last time.

(2) Backbackbackgone (2-1) – Speedy sort tries to go 4-4. Win margins shrinking as distances increase.

(3) Azul Leon (9-5) – The class play is 2-2 at Hollywood.

(4) Ventana (4-1) – Showed talent in Belmont bow. Off his game in last pair but training very well for this.

(5) Congor Bay (6-1) – Undefeated (2-2) Woodbine shipper owns fine tactical speed.

(6) Arashi Cat (5-1) – $200k Fusaichi Pegasus-Storm Cat colt earned improved fig 2nd time out.

Analysis: This Cushion Track sprint distance has favored stalkers from inner posts. Backbackbackgone is the one to reel in but might not want to go this far. Azul Leon might end up with too much to do. Ventana is the one that intrigues. He was ultra-impressive in bow, and he experienced a troubled start when thrown to the wolves 2nd time out in the Champagne (G1). He got acclimated to synthetic versus similar last out, and he’s ready to rumble based on recent morning activity. An alert beginning might be all it takes for Baffert’s $410k purchase.

The $20 Play:

Daily Wager recap

Friday night (11-21-08): Ransom Captive ($9.60) got the job done. Suggested $14 win bet brought back $67.20.

Saturday (11-22-08): Johnny Eves ($9.00) kept the streak going. Suggested $8 win bet returned $36.00.

Overall: (-66.40) through 19 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever