A field of seven has been assembled for the opening leg of the pick six, and Carnival Queen is the 2-1 morning line favorite. Note that the aforementioned fav likes to run from off the pace, and horses with that style are only winning about 1 in 8 races at six furlongs.

The 4th race is a claiming route for fillies and mares, and this event seems to boil down to Recess and Stanford Dolly. This is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Dinnr With Nikki C is the fav in the 5th, and she looms a factor from the outset as she stretches out in distance.

Over to the turf course for the 6th, and Discontent and Launching Pad were separated by a head in a similar local turf sprint on Nov 14th.

Bad Boy goes for three straight wins in the 7th, and he’ll have to run down Usurp.

8th and final race is a wide open maiden claiming route. Zohan was too close to a fast pace last time, and he predictably lost his punch in a 4th place effort. Pace should be on the tepid side today, and he is eligible to rebound. This is my Horse Racing Nation Play of the Day.

For information on Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The pick six begins in the 3rd race, and early-pressing speed has been the name of the game in six furlong races recently. If that trend continues, keep an eye on Yankee Romance.

They're off at Hollywood Park!

The 4th race will be run at a mile and a sixteenth on Cushion Track, and this is another speed friendly distance. Halo’s Law could be the one to catch as he stretches out in distance.

Back to six furlongs for the 5th race, and you might have to go deep to get through this wide open leg. Lady Alex is the tepid 7-2 fav breaking from the rail. This is my MySpace free pick of the day.

Six furlongs on the turf in the 6th, and this distance has played fair so far. There is a good mix of speed and closers in this contest, and this is my Horse Racing Nation free pick of the day.

The feature will be contested at the unusual distance of seven and one-half furlongs. This is a virtual replay of the On Trust Handicap as the top three from that event are back in action today. Star Nicholas, Bestdressed, and Enriched are the On Trust trio and the ones to beat in this compact 5-horse affair.

Six furlongs to end the card, and Bubbley Blonde is the one to catch if she breaks cleanly this time around.

For information on Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

I did a recap of the Nov 18th card on a previous blog, so I’ll move on to the 19th.

Martin Garcia and Garrett Gomez both booted home a pair of winners on Thursday. Loup Breton was a good looking late running winner of the grass feature. The Julio Canani trainee was making his US bow and appears headed to the stakes ranks. Yorktown finished a troubled 4th and is worth a look next time.

Diamondrella makes her first start for Gary Stevens in the Matriarch

Victor Espinoza rode a pair of winners on Friday night. The stakes quality 3rd race, an optional claiming turf sprint, was smartly captured by Reba Is Tops. Joe Talamo booted home the Mark Glatt trainee.

Mike Smith rode a pair of turf sprint winners on Saturday. The featured Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue was nabbed by a game American Lion. The 2yo son of Tiznow is on the Derby trail and figures to go next in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Dec 19th.

The story of the Nov 22nd card was Joe Talamo. The confident young rider booted home five winners, including Bickersons in the $100k Moccasin Stakes. Bill Spawr saddled two winners, and the aforementioned Talamo rode both.

An 8-race card is on tap for Nov 25th, and I have all the action covered on the pick six blog.

Hollywood will run another 8-race card on Thanksgiving day, and the 3-day Turf Festival kicks off on Friday with the Grade 1 Citation Handicap.

Juvenile males go in the Grade 3 Generous on Saturday, and Bridgetown looms a prominent throughout threat.

Also on Saturday in the Grade 1 Matriarch, and Diamondrella makes her first start for new trainer Gary Stevens. Classy lady Ventura figures to call it a career after this event.

Festival concludes on Sunday with the Grade 3 Miesque and Grade 1 Hollywood Derby.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 18th

Three wire jobs in Cushion Track sprints. Lone turf race carded was nabbed by a stalker.

Quinonez and Rosario both booted home a pair. Two more wins for trainer John Sadler.

Note that I successfully tabbed the Wednesday pick six on my suggested $72 Budget Ticket on pick6blog.com. 6 of 6 paid $748.80, and that is my 4th winning pick six ticket on the site since Labor Day!

Hollywood Park Preview – Nov 19th

Another 8-race card is on tap for Thursday, and there is a pair of turf races in the pick six sequence.

Thursday’s 3rd race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Thursday’s 7th race is my Horse Racing Nation free play of the day.

For information on remaining Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 13th

Horses showing early-pressing speed and staying within striking range did best on Cushion Track. Same can be said for the turf course.

Riding double for Rafael Bejarano.

Hollywood Park Recap – Nov 14th

Three wire jobs on Cushion Track as early-pressing speed continued to do well. Turf course also favored early-pressing types and produced a turf sprint (six furlongs) wire job for the 2nd straight day.

Hat trick for Joel Rosario. Riding double for Alex Solis. John Sadler saddled three winners, and Mike Puype doubled up in the training category.

Bestdressed finished full of run to take down the On Trust Handicap at 7.5f. He was the only late runner to win on synthetic.

Hollywood Park Recap- Nov 15th

Another good day for early-pressing types on synthetic. Edge to forwardly placed runners on turf as well. Note that the grass feature was nabbed by a patient runner, but that was a pace collapse as the three speed players brought up the rear.

Four bagger for Joel Rosario. A pair of wins for Rafael Bejarano. Jerry Hollendorfer saddled two winners on the card.

One of Hollendorfer’s winners was sharp debut runner She’s Funomenal (Fusaichi Pegasus). The juvenile filly coasted to an easy wire job (84 BSF) tally under Rosario and is one to keep an eye on.

There were five losing favs in the pick six sequence on Sunday, and the carryover pool for Wednesday is more than $86k.

Hollywood Park Preview – Nov 18th

An 8-race card is on tap for Wednesday, and as mentioned earlier, there is a pick six carryover of more than $86k.

Wednesday’s 5th race is my MySpace free selection of the day.

Wednesday’s 8th race is my Horse Racing Nation free play of the day.

For information on remaining Hollywood Park pick 6 races, please check out Pick 6 blog for free analysis and tickets.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The fall meet has been scaled back to 27-days. The first two Friday programs will be run at night, and Friday racing will move back to daylight hours on Nov 27th.

Highlights of the meet begin with the Turf Festival, which kicks off with the Grade 1 Citation on Nov 27th. The Grade 3 Generous and Grade 1 Matriarch will be contested on Nov 28th, and the 3-day turf extravaganza ends with the Grade 3 Miesque and Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Nov 29th.

Two-year-old males take center stage in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Dec 19th, and the juvenile fillies take their turn in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet the following day.

I will have all of the Hollywood action covered in my daily pick six blog, which began with the Del Mar meeting earlier this summer.

I successfully pegged one pick six and Del Mar and two more during the recently concluded Oak Tree meet.

The opening night Hollywood (Nov 13th) pick six is now posted, and click here to view the free analysis and tickets.

Friday’s free Horse Racing Nation selection is the 8th race from Hollywood Park, and you can view my pick here.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to early/pressing types on Cushion Track. Both turf races were taken in wire-to-wire fashion. Five wins from inside post.

Martin Pedroza booted home a pair.

My 5-1 top Gambler’s Justice almost stole the $75k Cat’s Cradle, but Bai And Bai and Spenditallbaby crept past her late.

Pioneerof the Nile (Garrett Gomez/Bob Baffert) showed improved postional speed and eeked out a nose victory in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity. I stated that I Want Revenge was one to keep an eye on down the road, but he had his mind on running here and now. Big effort for the recent graduate, and he is clearly one to watch on the Derby trail. Chocolate Candy (wide trip) rallied for the show and should continue to progress.

Filly and Mare Turf - Vacare 5th

Sunday (12-21-08) Hollywood Park preview

Sunday’s 10-race closing day card is highlighted by the Grade 2 Dahlia Handicap (featured below). That’s a wrap at Hollywood. The Santa Anita winter meet begins December 26th.

Hollywood Park race 8 (Grade 2 Dahlia Hcp, f&m 3up, 8.5T)

(1) Vacare (5-2) – Classy mare 3 for 4 at this distance.

(2) Green Lyons (10-1) – Returns to graded ranks following solid optional claiming tally.

(3) I Can See (20-1) – Late running mare 0-10 this year.

(4) Belle Allure (5-1) – French invader owns competitive class ratings.

(6) Gotta Have Her (8-1) – 4yo filly ran a big race from post 13 when last seen at Oak Tree.

(7) Sensational Love (20-1) – Tough spot for allowance caliber 3yo filly.

(8) Valbenny (7-2) – Late running Frankel filly loves this grass course.

(9) Lady Digby (9-2) – Graham Motion’s versatile graded winner attracts Gomez.

(10) Don’t Forget Faith (30-1) – Struggled in Listed events overseas.

(11) In My Glory (15-1) – Hard hitting allowance type will take them as far as she can.

(12) Storybook (15-1) – Sadler filly tries stakes company after finishing behind Green Lyons last time.

Analysis: Gotta Have Her does her best work off a layoff, and I have always liked this gal. She owns running style versatility and reunites with fav pilot Migliore. Lady Digby has enjoyed a productive campaign and should improve over firm footing 2nd off a layoff.

The $20 Play:
$2 exacta Gotta Have Her/Lady Digby
$6 quinella Gotta Have Her/Lady Digby
$1 trifecta key Gotta Have Her/Vacare, Belle Allure, Valbenny, Lady Digby ($12)

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (12-18-08): The promising I Want Revenge split my suggested Pioneerof the Nile/Chocolate Candy quinella.

Overall: (-199.40) through 39 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Cushion Track played fair.

Joel Rosario booted home the early double.

A couple of horses rolled to easy wire jobs in races originally scheduled for the turf…Haka (Gomez/Clement) in the 5th and Victory Pete (Barba/Smith) in the featured 7th.

Friday (12-19-08) Hollywood Park preview

Friday’s 8-race card features a compact but competitive optional claiming feature. Sheza Maneater (4-1) figures to offer a hint of vaule for Bob Baffert.

The 5th race, an entry level turf sprint, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 5 (Alw-1x, f&m 3up, 6T)

(1) Lt. Chelsea (20-1) – Nothing to show for a trio of SoCal starts.

(2) Linda Lou (5-2) – Wire job maiden breaker at this course/distance off a layoff. Place finisher returned to score.

(3) Lemon Punch (5-1) – Late runner adds blinkers and cuts back to winning distance.

(4) Stuttgart (10-1) – Nothing in June turf bow. Much better now.

(5) Persian Honey (8-1) – Figures to flash speed on surface switch. Barn having fine meet.

(6) Waveline (2-1) – Beat state breds last time, and place finisher came back to tally.

(7) Schill (3-1) – Loses Bejarano to Waveline. In fine form since August.

Analysis: Waveline looked good in comeback win, and she’s had ample time to recover. Linda Lou is on the improve for Mandella. Schill is a consistent trifecta player.

The $20 Play:
$6 Trifecta key Waveline/Linda Lou, Schill ($12)
$2 Trifecta Linda Lou, Waveline/Linda Lou, Waveline, Schill/Linda Lou, Waveline, Schill ($8)

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (12-18-08): Haka gave us a chance at exacta success, but Where’s Scarlet (off slow, rank) faded after six furlongs.

Overall: (-179.40) through 37 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

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