Main track played fair with an edge to horses within striking distance. Lone turf race carded was taken by an off the pace type.

Robby Albarado and John Jacinto both booted home a pair on Louisiana Champions Day.

Race 1 (Quarter Horse Juvenile): Martini Mountain ($7.40) was sharp in victory as the 2nd betting choice. Disappointing 6-5 fav Toast to Jess was never a factor.

Race 2 (Quarter Horse Derby): McM Dont Look Back was disappointing as the filly fav, but the distaff set was rescued by razor sharp winner Mon Ti Rose ($10.60).

Race 3 (Quarter Horse Classic): McM Dozen Dasher ($7.60) was too fleet for his rivals at this 440 yard distance.

Race 4 (Starter Handicap): The first thoroughbred race of the day went according to form. Betting fav Mr. Porter ($4.60) won for fun over pacesetter Zenato. Pat Valenzuela was in the irons for trainer Sturges Ducoing.

Race 5 (Ladies Sprint): Another formful result as Coach Mike ($5.00) sat the perfect trip behind the speed. John Jacinto piloted the Tony Richey runner. Sax Appeal was clearly 2nd best for Briggy/Asmussen. Tortuga Flats rounded out the trifecta.

Race 6 (Juvenile): The upset of the day as Break Up (Lanerie/Brinkman) lit up the tote to the tune of $138.40. Cocktail Clarence outfinished heavy fav Foreign Production for the place.

Race 7 (Ladies): Chalk players bounced back with Superior Storm getting the job under Jacinto done at $4.60. Sammie Sam (Torres/Ducoing) set the pace and was clearly 2nd best.

Race 8 (Lassie): Master Link ($12.40) gave up a big lead in the stretch last time, but she ran them off their feet under Robby Albarado today. Larry Jones 2nd timer Warrior Maid raced a bit green and rallied for the place. She is one to keep an eye on. Show finisher Lightlightlight (Steve Asmussen) probably needed the outing and should move forward next time.

Race 9 (Turf): Wildrally ($15.20) relished the soft conditions en route to an off the pace neck tally for Hernandez/Amoss. PVal/Mott just missed winning another stakes with Desert Wheat, who appeared home free in the stretch. Diggy Fresh rallied for the show and is better on firm footing. 3yo Lee’s Spirit made all the running but was outfinished late.

Race 10 (Classic): Autobeacat ($13.80) outsprinted returning fav Star Production after pedestrian early fractions turned the Classic into a match race. Southern Invasion chased the top two throughout. Heads up ride by Donnie Meche as Carlos Gonzalez wanted to lull everyone to sleep. Kudos to winning trainer Eric Heitzmann for picking the right spot for his versatile runner.

Race 11 (Sprint): Star Guitar ($5.40) made it 4-4 at Fair Grounds with a determined run to wear down 45-1 stalker Mr. Barracuda. Robby Albarado was aboard the winner for Al Stall Jr.

Sunday (12-14-08) Fair Grounds preview

Sunday’s 10-race card features a trio of grass races and includes a Pick 6 (races 5-10) carryover of $15,378.

Weather: Mostly cloudy. High 70.

Race 5: Pick 6 starts here with aforementioned carryover of $15,378. Wide open maiden event. Cape Seattle (5-1) is a $290k Keeneland sales purchase sporting a couple of local bullets. He could be a runner for Steve Asmussen. Red Dagger (8-1) debuts for the always dangerous Larry Jones.

Race 6: Templar’s Cup (9-5) is the one to beat for Hernandez/Amoss. Barn 33% 2nd off the claim, and this one exits fine local place finish in an off the turf event (YouTube replay below).

Race 7: My Myspace free selection of the day.

Race 8: Edgerrin is the one to beat on the surface switch for PVal/Mouton. Hail to the Cat (6-1) was claimed out of his last by the high % Cody Autrey, and Papa (7-2) is a dropping Churchill shipper for Albarado/Stewart.

Race 9: My racingonthenet free selection of the day. Tom Amoss contender Cya Later Bert (hampered by spill) is featured in the YouTube replay below.

Race 10: Vintage Dave (5-2) faced a pair of subsequent stakes winners in a couple of October Oak Tree starts. Doug O’Neill runner drops and tries conventional dirt. Dreams D’oro (3-1) is logical for Briggy/Asmussen.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

A trio of wire jobs on Cushion Track, and early/pressing types nabbed both turf races carded on Friday night.

Martin Garcia booted home a pair. Bejarano crossed the line first in two events, but his mount Tough Apples was disqualified in the grass feature.

Saturday (11-15-08) Hollywood Park recap

Cushion Track played fair. A wire job and a pair of stalkers made up the three grass winners.

A couple of wins for Joel Rosario…he is finally starting to heat up a bit. Julio Canani saddled a pair of winners.

Sunday (11-16-08) Hollywood Park preview

Sunday’s 9-race card features the $100k Moccasin Stakes for 2yo fillies traveling seven furlongs on Cushion Track. There is a $58,391 Super High 5 carryover into Sunday’s finale (race 9).

The 5th race, a straight maiden synthetic sprint for 2yo fillies is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 5 (MSW, 2yo fil, 6f)

(1) Elusive Allie (5-1) – $300k purchase is out of 16% FTS sire Elusive Quality. Rail post clicking at a 22% rate.

(2) Air Fair (6-1) – Working locally since August. Yes It’s True 15% with firsters.

(3) Life By RR (20-1) – $150k purchase working well at Santa Anita recently.

(4) Silent Stalk (3-1) – Even 3rd in Oak Tree bow. Canani won 2 yesterday and is 16% 2nd timers.

(5) L.A. Devine (15-1) – $100k daughter of Pulpit working at Hollywood since Sept. 15th bullet.

(6) Navigator (9-5) – Beat Silent Stalk in 2-1 bow. Ellis 19% 2nd timers. Working well locally all along.

7) Rare Sparkle (6-1) – Stalk/fade in 4-1 bow across town. Place finisher came back to score. Blinkers added for 5% 2nd timer outfit.

(8) Successful Friend (8-1) – $50k Keeneland sales grad out of 3% debut MSW barn.

Analysis: No knocks on fav Navigator, and 2nd choice Silent Stalk hails from a hot barn. Elusive Allie breaks from the good rail, but the inside post is typically a problem for young firsters. O’Neill has been winning recently, and his firster Air Fair rates a gander.

The $20 Play:

$8 exacta Navigator-Air Fair
$4 quinella Air Fair-Silent Stalk
$2 quinella Elusive Allie-Air Fair
$1 trifecta Air Fair-Silent Stalk/Navigator/Elusive Allie-Air Fair-Silent Stalk-L.A. Devine ($6)

Daily Wager recap

Friday (11-14-08): Key horse Berna Dette was disqualified from 4th and place last.

Saturday (11-15-08): Medjool gave the suggested exacta a chance, but Exuma failed to get up for 2nd.

Overall: (-200) through 14 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The Friday night program is still in progress, so look for my recap in tomorrow’s Hollywood Park blog.

Saturday (11-15-08) Hollywood Park preview

Saturday’s 9-race card features the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Stakes for grassy 3yo fillies.

The 3rd race, an entry level synthetic route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 3 (Alw-1x, 3up, 8.5f)

(1) Vulcan (5-2) – Did not care for Pro-Ride surface. Del Mar Polytrack lover adds blinkers.

(2) Medjool (3-1) – Needed last at Oak Tree. Attracts Bejarano and can go better.

(3) Sir Bell (2-1) – Owns early/pressing versatility and finished a fine 2nd when last seen on Sept. 24th.

(4) Beresford (10-1) – Not much success in a trio of 2008 starts.

(5) Exuma (4-1) – Should move forward off needed Oct. 24th effort. Lone win accomplished here.

(6) Bronzino (8-1) – Has not been seen since Dec. ‘07, and lone win was in Dec. ‘06 on turf.

Analysis: Sir Bell is 0-6 at this entry level and is worth trying to beat at underlaid odds. Exuma is the only entrant with a local win, and he almost has to move up 2nd time back. Medjool has a license to improve as well. Vulcan must prove he can fire away from Del Mar, and maybe blinkers will do the trick.

The $20 Play:

$12 to win Exuma
$3 Exacta box Medjool-Exuma ($6)
$2 Trifecta Vulcan-Sir Bell-Exuma ($2)

Daily Wager recap

Friday (11-14-08): Results pending. Please check back tomorrow.

Overall: (-160) through 12 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Cushion Track played fair. The two turf races were nabbed by early/pressing types.

Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano, and Pedro Arambula booted home a pair. The recently hot Doug O’Neill saddled two winners on the card.

Friday (11-14-08) Hollywood Park preview

Friday night’s 8-race card includes a Pick 6 carryover of $62,891.

The 5th race, an optional claiming turf sprint, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 5 (OC-25/1x, CA-bred f&m 3up, 6T)

(1) Burna Dette (7-2) – Unusual Heat 16% 1st turf sire, and dam has thrown a pair of turf winners.

(2) Waveline (5-2) – Overseas turf sprint winner has not raced in more than 11 months.

(3) Continental Dancer (30-1) – Overmatched 1-24 miss is out of the 2L synthetic sprint ranks and has low % connections.

(4) Onebadkitty (2-1) – Right there in all 3 juvenile synthetic starts. First start since Dec. ‘07.

(5) Belleacton (8-1) – The one to catch is 0-5 on turf.

(6) Miss Toomsuba (7-2) – Consistent filly exits stalk and pounce downhill win.

(7) Princess Integrity (12-1) – 5yo mare is off her game currently.

Analysis: I am a sucker for offspring of Unusual Heat trying turf for the first time, so I’ll side with Burna Dette in this spot. Peter Eurton is 33% with his recent graduates trying winners for the first time, and the place finisher from her last came back to score.

The $20 Play:

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (11-13-08): Key horse Mr. Chairman (1.90-1) finished a disappointing 4th.

Overall: (-160) through 12 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Cushion Track played fair. The three turf races were nabbed by early/pressing types.

Rafael Bejarano and Garrett Gomez both booted home a pair. Doug O’Neill and John Sadler each saddled two winners on the card.

Thursday (11-13-08) Hollywood Park preview

An 8-race card on tap, including a pair grass races.

The 2nd race, a starter allowance synthetic route, is my MySpace free selection of the day, and you can view my analysis of that race by clicking here.

The 5th race, an optional claiming synthetic route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 5 (OC-80/3x, 3up, 8.5f)

(1) Barber (8-1) – Breaks from 1-17 rail. Stalking type 0-6 this year and winless over synthetic.

(2) Great Hunter (3-1) – Last seen finishing 5th in the Dubai World Cup. Have always liked this one.

(3) Mostacolli Mort (2-1) – Late runner drops out of the graded ranks. Runs for the $80k tag.

(4) Isipingo (6-1) – 3rd to Heatseeker in lone synthetic try.

(5) Racketeer (6-1) – Note the same since leaving the Frankel barn. 0-7 this season.

(6) Mr. Chairman (5-2) – Gem of consistency enjoying a banner season. Won CalCup Classic last time. Mostacolli Mort looms an underlay. Great Hunter might need the outing.

Analysis: Mr. Chairman sports the look of the now horse in this spot.

The $20 Play:

$20 to win Mr. Chairman

Daily Wager recap

Wednesday (11-12-08): Key horse Sweet October (3-1) finished 2nd.

Overall: (-140) through eleven days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Cushion Track played fair. The three turf races were nabbed by stalkers.

Wednesday (11-12-08) Hollywood Park preview

An 8-race card on tap, including a trio of grass races. There is a $43,609 Super High 5 carryover (race 8).

The 2nd race, a maiden claiming sprint, is my MySpace free selection of the day, and you can view my analysis of that race by clicking here.

The 4th race, a state bred maiden turf route for fillies and mares, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 4 (MSW, CA-bred f&m 3up, 8.5T)

(1) Quiet Advice (10-1) – Daughter of fine grass sire Unusual Heat was even 4th in turf bow. Can go better with added distance 3rd race back.

(2) Feel Free To Flee (5-1) – In the money 5 of 7 lifetime. Barn 0-34 with this type of layoff runner.

(3) Wild Fleece (8-5) – Part of trifecta in 3 of 4 turf starts. Bejarano sticks with the probable underlay.

(4) Kazana (20-1) – No threat when switched to turf

(5) Dominga (20-1) – First time starter. Dam has thrown a turf winner.

(6) This Is My Song (12-1) – Adds lasix after speed/fade turf bow versus open company.

(7) Sweet October (2-1) – Blinkers on following surface switching show finish on Oct. 17th.

(8) Kami D B C (6-1) – Speed/fade turf try in common turf event last time. 3rd race off a layoff.

Analysis: Sweet October has plenty of upside and could get the job done in 3rd race off the shelf. Quiet Advice can sneak into the exotics at a price.

The $20 Play:

10 cent superfecta Sweet October/ALL/Quiet Advice-Wild Fleece/Quiet Advice-Wild Fleece ($1)

Daily Wager recap

Sunday (11-9-08): Hit my $5 win saver on Great Siege ($8.00), but missed the suggested exotics and ended up breaking even on the race.

Overall: (-120) through the first ten days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Friday (11-7-08) Hollywood Park recap

A pair of wire jobs as early/pressing types regained the Cushion Track advantage on Friday night. Stalkers nabbed both turf races.

Sharp debut win by Ron Ellis FTS Rail Trip (race 3)…6f in 1:07.94.

Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair, and Ted West saddled two winners.

Saturday (11-8-08) Hollywood Park recap

Both surfaces seemed to play fair.

A productive day for jockey Joel Rosario, as he posted a win, three seconds and a pair of show finishes. Victor Espinoza booted home a pair. Jerry Hollendorfer saddled a pair of winners, and another winner for the recently hot Ted West.

Sunday (11-9-08) Hollywood Park preview

A 9-race card on tap for Sunday, featuring the $65k Hermosa Beach Handicap. There is a Pick 6 carryover of $202,608.

The 3rd race, an entry level turf route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 3 (Alw-1x, 3up, 8.5T)

(1) Smooth and Savvy (7-2) – 0-7 this year and 1-17 overall.

(2) Angelonmyshoulder (5-1) – No wins in 2007-08.

(3) Dr. Zaentz (10-1) – 0-9 on turf. Late runner needs pace help.

(4) Steven’s Being (4-1) – Should appreciate shorter trip. Bejarano abandons for rail horse.

(5) Great Siege (5-2) – Lightly raced $300k purchase looms the controlling speed.

(6) Yankee Bay (3-1) – Underneath all 6 entry level tries.

Analysis: Great Siege is a serious wire job threat if aggressively handled by Tyler Baze. Steven’s Being is the one true win-type in this field.

The $20 Play:

$5 to win Great Siege
$3 exacta Great Siege/Steven’s Being
$6 quinella Steven’s Being/Great Siege
$2 trifecta Great Siege/Smooth and Savvy-Yankee Bay/Steven’s Being ($4)
$1 trifecta key Steven’s Being/Smooth and Savvy-Yankee Bay ($2)

Daily Wager recap

Friday (11-7-08): Impressive FTS Rail Trip spoiled the suggested trifecta.

Saturday (11-8-08): Key horse America’s Friend finished 3rd.

Overall: (-120) through the first nine days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The Friday night program is still in progress, so look for my recap in tomorrow’s Hollywood Park blog.

I have nabbed five straight free pick winners from Aqueduct, Churchill and Golden Gate on my racingonthenet page. Saturday’s free racingonthenet selection is the 9th race from Churchill, and you can view my free selection by clicking here.

Saturday (11-8-08) Hollywood Park preview

A 10-race card on tap for Saturday featuring the $100k Real Quiet Stakes for two-year-olds.

The 3rd race, an optional claiming turf route for fillies and mares, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 3 (OC-80/3x, f&m 3up, 8T)

(1) Gula Gold (4-1) – Overmatched in Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon last time.

(2) Tutta Bella (7-2) – The one to reel in on the stretchout.

(3) Green Lyons (4-1) – Overmatched in Grade 1 EP Taylor last out.

(4) Dona Amelia (12-1) – In for $80k tag. Fast downhill finish last time.

(5) Storybook (6-1) – Even 4th in much needed seasonal bow on Oct. 4th.

(6) Renagade Ruby (3-1) – Part of trifecta all 9 starts. Tyler Baze aboard for all three wins.

(7) America’s Friend (9-2) – Loves this distance and may be rounding back into form.

Analysis: America’s Friend is interesting based on a pair of strong flat mile wins at Del Mar over the summer, and she showed some late interest in a local turf sprint last time. Renagade Ruby is a gem of consistency and the one to beat.

The $20 Play:

$8 to win America’s Friend
$4 exacta America’s Friend/Renagade Ruby
$8 quinella America’s Friend/Renagade Ruby

Daily Wager recap

Friday (11-7-08): Results pending…please check back tomorrow.

Overall: (-80) through the first seven days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

No wire jobs as the Cushion Track profile switched to favor off the pace types. Both turf course winners also rallied from off the pace.

Garrett Gomez booted home a pair.

Friday (11-7-08) Hollywood Park preview

A 2-day Pick 6 carryover of $232,349 is the highlight of Friday night’s 8-race card.

The 2nd race, a maiden claiming sprint, is my MySpace free selection of the day, and you can view my analysis of that race by clicking here.

The 3rd race, a maiden sprint for three-year-olds and up, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 3 (MSW, 3up, 6f)

(1) Witness Protection (7-2) – Highly regarded in 2007. Frankel 26% with this type of returnee.

(2) Unbridled Papillon (5-1) – Mandella FTS is working well. Dam has five winners from as many starters.

(3) Tempting Charm (12-1) – Out of a 5% debut sire. Decent works.

(4) Jakey Boy (15-1) – Cerin 6% debut MSW.

(5) Hiya Silver (12-1) – $100k purchase faded in 28-1 bow.

(6) Aitcho (6-1) – $435k Keeneland sales grad sports 7 local drills.

(7) Judge Kent (3-1) – Gomez/Baffert 3-4 together. Barn 17% debut MSW.

(8) Rail Trip (5-2) – Back-to-back strong local bullets for $200k purchase. Ellis 18% debut MSW.

Analysis: Early/pressing types from inner posts have been strong at this distance recently, so I’ll key Witness Protection and Unbridled Papillon accordingly.

The $20 Play:

$2 quinella Witness Protection/Unbridled Papillon

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (11-6-08): My FTS key Exotic Design failed to fire.

Overall: (-80) through the first seven days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to early/pressing types on Cushion Track once again. Turf course seemed to play fair.

Michael Baze and Rafael Bejarano both booted home a pair.

Thursday (11-6-08) Hollywood Park preview

An 8-race card on tap for Thursday including a Pick 6 carryover of $60,866.

The 5th race, an optional claiming turf route for 2yo’s, is my MySpace free selection of the day, and you can view my analysis of that race by clicking here.

The 2nd race, a sprint for juvenile fillies, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 2 (MSW, 2yo fil, 6.5f)

(1) Birthday Time (12-1) – Tough post for debut. Working at Santa Anita for this.

(2) Pretty Katherine (9-5) – Solid 2nd in bet-down SA bow. Gomez hops aboard.

(3) Lady Lumberjack (6-1) – Canani 2-37 FTS. Bejarano 3-6 with this barn.

(4) Jilona (6-1) – Greely 1-27 FTS. A pair of strong local works for this.

(5) Golden Noodle Soup (15-1) – Van Berg 0-20 FTS.

(6) Royal Fortune (2-1) – 3rd in Pretty Katherine Oct. 10th maiden event. Drysdale 12% 2nd timers.

(7) Exotic Design (5-1) – Well-bred (AP Indy-Exotic Wood) for 15% debut trainer John Shirreffs.

Analysis: Pretty Katherine & Royal Fortune are the logical 2nd timers. Exotic Design showed talent in strong Oct. 17th bullet. Jilona will probably flash speed under Tyler Baze.

The $20 Play:
$6 exacta Exotic Design/Pretty Katherine-Royal Fortune ($12)
$3 exacta Jilona/Pretty Katherine-Royal Fortune ($6)
$2 quinella Exotic Design/Jilona

Daily Wager recap

Wednesday (11-5-08): In a recurring theme, Squeeze Me Tight gave me a chance to hit my suggested exacta, but it was not meant to be as The King’s Lass finished an even 4th.

Overall: (-60) through the first six days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever