Saturday (11-29-08) recap

Both surfaces seemed to play fair…pace made the race.

Tyler Baze and Rafael Bejarano both booted home a pair.

Mr. Rod ran them off their feet in the Grade 3 Generous. Pletcher fav Bittel Road gave a gallant chase but was 2nd best. California Flag got away with a :23.84 opening quarter en route to a facile wire job in the 23rd running of the Grade 3 Hollywood Turf Express. My top choice Delta Storm was passively ridden from the rail post under Gryder and ended up a better than appears 3rd.

Sunday (11-30-08) Hollywood Park preview

Sunday’s 10-race Turf Festival (Day 3) card features the Grade 1 Matriarch and the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby.

The 4th race, an optional claiming sprint, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 4 (OC-80/3x, 3up, 6.5f)

(1) Kruger Park (8-1) – Inside post struggling at this distance. Turf specialist.

(2) Talkin To Mom Roo (3-1) – Sharp since Puype claim. Fresh and versatile.

(3) El Gato Malo (2-1) – Two-time graded route winner returns in sprint prep. Might need a race.

(4) Gayego (5-2) – Has struggled since 17th place Kentucky Derby finish.

(5) Call On Carson (12-1) – Conventional dirt specialist 0-4 on synthetic.

(6) Peace Chant (7-2) – Ouside speed threat has lost six straight.

Analysis: Talkin To Mom Roo is the now horse with 5 exacta finishes in last 6 starts. The two favs are 3yo’s with issues as noted above, and my top appears ready to fire a big shot off the bench.

The $20 Play:
$20 to win Talkin To Mom Roo

Daily Wager recap

Saturday (11-29-08): Key horse Bourbon Bay dead-heated for the show.

Overall: (-71) through 24 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Below is a YouTube replay of the 2008 Virginia Derby, featuring Hollywood Derby contenders Gio Ponti, Court Vision, and Sailor’s Cap.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The Grade 1 $400k First Lady – One Mile (turf)
There seems to be plenty of pace present with Dreaming of Anna, Roshani, Bayou’s Lassie, and Rosinka. 2-1 favorite Precious Kitten projects a nice ground saving stalking trip, but this race might boil down to a couple of late running New Yorkers, 4-1 Rutherienne and 6-1 Forever Together.

Forever Together beat Rutherienne in the Grade 1 Diana at nine furlongs, and she has earned triple digit ratings in both of her grade one starts. She was an okay 3rd when last seen over yielding ground at Woodbine.

Rutherienne has rallied to finish 3rd in last 4 outings. She reunites with Garrett Gomez, who rides her well, and she has been overbet numerous times while never earning particularly fast speed ratings.

Precious Kitten was a close 2nd in this race last year. She’s capable of huge efforts and has been part of exacta in all five starts at a flat mile. She projects the first run trip.

I have added a replay of the 2008 Grade 1 Diana from the Spa, courtesy of YouTube.

The Grade 1 $500k Darley Alcibiades – 8.5 furlongs (polytrack)

Dream Empress was my selection in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies on Sept. 27th, but trainer Ken McPeek scratched in favor of this spot. She was much improved in 2nd out turf route win with lasix. She was favored in both starts, and barn is 20% turf/synthetic. Note that she owns a couple of Keeneland bullets for this and appears primed to run past this group.

Amanwella owns strong distance breeding with Fusaichi Pegasus on top and Strom Cat on bottom, and the promising maiden exits a clear place finish behind today’s rival Devotee from post 11 at the Spa. Graham Motion is 26% sprint/route.

Be Smart is a $325k Keeneland sales grad out of Derby-Preakness winner Smarty Jones, and she was a surprise $100 first out winner in a 5.5f MSW race at the Spa for D Wayne Lucas. She adds lasix and attracts Garrett Gomez for her initial two turn attempt.

Mani Bhavan won a slow renewal of Saratoga’s Grade 1 Spinaway It took over 14 seconds to cover the final furlong of that seven panel affair. All three of her wins were accomplished in conventional dirt sprints, and today’s Polytrack route is a whole new ballgame for the likely underlay.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The co-highweight stopped the teletimer in 1:45.93 and picked up $176,400 for her efforts. She paid $4.40 to win.

Diamond Diva easily held second over win type Rutherienne. Lavender Sky and Solva trailed throughout in the compact field.

Later in the day, favorites Daytona and Ever A Friend hooked up from the outset in a fine renewal of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, with the former gradually pulling away in the late stages to post a 1-1/2 length tally.

The Dan Hendricks trainee, ridden by Alex Solis, has now won 6 of his last 7 graded turf routes. He ran the flat mile in 1:33.44 and paid $5.40 on the win end.

Ever A Friend necked fragile but talented Hyperbaric out of the place, with gritty veteran Perfect Drift showing some life in a respectable 4th place finish.

Frankel stablemates Mast Track and Thousand Words were next, and Notional trailed throughout.

Robert Frankel, Dan Hendricks Photo Credits: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Precious Kitten is the one to beat at 6-5 on the line. She lost ground from an outer post in a needed effort behind the aforementioned Rutherienne at Keenland last time. She has more speed than she showed in her latest and is a Grade 1 winner at this distance. Expect aggressive handling from Bejarano.

Diamond Diva is 2-2 at a flat mile in this country, and we will see how she fares at this longer trip against tougher. Her early/pressing speed should play well in this spot, and she sports a Santa Anita bullet (6f, 1:11) for this engagement. This is not a great betting race, but she looks like the value play at 4-1…and the only pace threat to Precious Kitten.

Lavender Sky was not at her best at Santa Anita last out, but her rally is frequently good for a share. Sustained runner Solva rounds out the field.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever