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 5th race, a juvenile maiden route, is featured below.

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

(1) Fiery Rebel (8-1) – Fine 2nd in sprint last time. Might flash speed from rail.

(2) Personality Kid (4-1) – Late runner improved at this distance last time.

(3) Mr. Hot Stuff (9-2) – Colonel John’s kid bro should relish this trip.

(4) Life Goes On (15-1) – Wide and faded in route bow.

(5) Lifeline (8-1) – Disappointed in 1st three outings. Shirreffs barn is cold.

(6) Mickey Rocky (20-1) – 2nd in a maiden claimer last out.

(7) Mayor Marv (8-1) – Headed as fav in Big A mud on Nov 15th. Working well for this.

(8) The Pamplemousse (9-5) – Might appreciate longer distance after a pair of solid sprints.

(9) Mr. Holmes (8-1) – Rallying 2nd in sprint bow. Mullins 23% 1st route.

Analysis: Mr. Hot Stuff has yet to live up to his flashy pedigree after a pair of sprint outings. $200k Keeneland sales grad deserves a chance to route for the 36% Rafael Bejarano/Eoin Harty team. He might spring to life today.

The $20 Play:

Daily Wager recap

Saturday (12-13-08): Lullabytime scratched.

Overall: (-119.40) through 34 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

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

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 race, a claiming turf route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 4 (Clm-32k, f&m 3up, 8T)

(1) Bright Moon (5-1) – Freshened late runner is 0-5 here.

(2) Sweetsinginanita (15-1) – Failed miserably in last six.

(3) Mark Set Go (5-2) – Versatile mare drops back in for a tag for Mike Mitchell.

(4) Aunt Pink (7-2) – Daughter of Unusual Heat a disappointing 1-22.

(5) Blanche Sweet (4-1) – Baffert handles the dropping late runner now.

(6) Forest Miss (2-1) – Stalk and pounce filly reunites with Bejarano.

Analysis: Mark Set Go had to need her last entry level start here and figures all over an expected tepid early pace.

The $20 Play:
$20 to win Mark Set Go

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (12-11-08): South of France (fractious gate) attended the pace before fading to 5th and last in the scratched down field.

Overall: (-99.40) through 32 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 both starts at this level.

(2) Righteously (20-1) – 4th and 9th in both starts versus winners.

(3) Popular Date (3-1) – Stablemate of Forty Dates smartly won local sprint bow.

(4) Call Aly (4-1) – Speedy miss 4th in Cinderella when last seen in May.

(5) South of France (5-1) – Game prominent throughout maiden win last time.

(6) Monica C C (10-1) – Slow seven panel maiden win on Nov 22nd.

(7) F X Cat (12-1) – Improving filly got the job done in 3rd career outing.

(8) Catana Perez (8-1) – Held by a neck when dropped into maiden claimer.

Analysis: South of France showed some heart when coming again to graduate on Nov 12th. Bejarano sticks with the improving daughter of Harlan’s Holiday.

The $20 Play:
$20 to win South of France

Daily Wager recap

Wednesday (12-10-08): Morning line fav Beau Gris scratched late, and my bet down top Scorewithcater got the job done at $3.80. Crept $18 closer to even.

Overall: (-79.40) through 31 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 a Pick 6 (races 3-8) carryover of $146,154, and a Super High 5 (race carryover of $61,093.

Wednesday’s (12-10-08) MySpace free selection of the day is the 6th race from Hollywood.

The 2nd race, a starter allowance route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 2 (Str-Alw, f&m 3up, 8.5f)

(1) Aquicksting (5-2) – Inside speed has weakened in both starts versus winners.

(2) Salah Pick Six (4-1) – Tries a route of ground after dueling and weakening versus similar 7f foes.

(3) It’s Gotta Be Us (15-1) – Has lost five straight since winning Del Mar sprint bow.

(4) Overtime Victory (5-1) – Improving late runner graduated in 6th start at this course/distance last time.

(5) Scorewithcater (7-2) – Sharp maiden win last out.

(6) Beau Gris (2-1) – Cerin 24% 1st route. More speed.

Analysis: Scorewithcater was claimed out of her last by 18% 1st off claim trainer Doug O’Neill. She graduated nicely with blinkers last time and should sit a nice trip behind the speed. Rosario sticks, and he’s 24% with this barn.

The $20 Play:

Daily Wager recap

Sunday (12-07-08): Baroness Thatcher chased longshot winner Briecat from the outset and finished a weakening 4th.

Overall: (-97.40) through 30 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Both surfaces seemed to play fair.

Five wins for the resurgent Joel Rosario, including a pair with trainer Doug O’Neill. Victor Espinoza/Richard Mandella teamed up for two wins on the card.

Slew’s Tizzy (Rosario/O’Neill) sat the right tracking trip en route to a solid tally over Past the Point in the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap. Ball Four set the pace and finished 3rd in a race dominated by the top three all the way around the oval.

Champs Elysees (Valdivia/Frankel) caught a very soft field and landed a grade one victory in the Hollywood Turf Cup.

Sunday (12-07-08) Hollywood Park preview

Sunday’s 9-race card features the Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 3rd race from Hollywood, a maiden turf route.

The 8th race, the aforementioned Bayakoa, is featured below. I have included a YouTube replay of the 2008 Humana Distaff (G1) from Churchill Downs, featuring Bayakoa contender Baroness Thatcher.

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

(1) Model (5-2) – Consistent 4yo filly exits minor course/distance stakes tally.

(2) Spenditallbaby (12-1) – Hard trying Cal-bred daughter of Unusual Heat.

(3) Lady Digby (8-1) – Graham Motion’s turf specialist handles synthetic.

(4) Baroness Thatcher (6-1) – Two-time synthetic winner back in the Biancone barn.

(5) Double Trouble (3-1) – Frankel returnee is a grade one synthetic winner.

(6) Briecat (8-1) – Razor sharp early/pressing type handles any footing.

(7) Wake Up Maggie (9-2) – Split decisions with Model last pair.

(8) Bai And Bai (8-1) – Much better on conventional dirt.

Analysis: Baroness Thatcher does her best work on synthetic and appears poised for a big effort while returning to her fav barn. $1.8 million purchase is training well for this.

The $20 Play:
$20 to win Baroness Thatcher

Daily Wager recap

Saturday (12-06-08): Fight On opening up a huge lead on the backstretch but faded to 4th in the lane.

Overall: (-77.40) through 29 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Baroness Thatcher Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Early/pressing types dominated on Cushion Track. Turf course played fair.

A pair of wins for hustling jockey Clinton Potts.

Banner Lodge (Mike Smith/John Sadler) pulled off a sharp wire job over rallying Mike Mitchell returnee Valid Mecke (troubled start) in the turf sprint feature.

Saturday (12-06-08) Hollywood Park preview

Saturday’s 9-race card features a pair of graded stakes, the Native Diver Handicap (G3), and the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1). Note that I have included a YouTube replay (Secretariat Stakes) of Hollywood Turf Cup contender Winchester.

The 5th race, a claiming turf route, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 5 (Clm-32k, 3up, 8.5T)

(1) Fight On (3-1) – Inside speed might not look back.

(2) New Export (5-2) – 7yo horse off his game in most recent pair.

(3) Dadsalittleunusual (2-1) – Returns to turf in 2nd start for Mike Mitchell. Unusual Heat offspring can rebound.

(4) Fire Wood (5-2) – Ron Ellis trainee 2-33 lifetime.

(5) Lightning Hit (6-1) – Ron McAnally’s 2-22 horse in winless in 2007-08.

(6) Mr. Katz (10-1) – Marty Jones takes over the training duties. Handles dirt, synthetic, and turf.

Analysis: Fight On is 0-3 on turf, but the grass breeding is present, and he looms the controlling speed from the rail under hustling rider Tyler Baze. Dadsalittleunusual should improve 2nd off the Mitchell claim, and Bejarano chose this one over Robert Frankel contender New Export.

The $20 Play:
$14 to win Fight On
$3 exacta box Fight On/Dadsalittleunusual ($6)

Daily Wager recap

Friday (12-05-08): Nailed suggested Bullya/High Intellect $8 quinella, which returned $18.40 for a deuce. Added $53.60 to the close the overall deficit.

Overall: (-57.40) through 28 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

No wire jobs on Cushion Track. Turf course favored early/pressing speed.

David Flores booted home a pair.

Flashmans Papers (GB) needed every bit of his pace advantage and ground saving inside trip to nostilized wide off the pace classy returning fav Kelly Leak.

Kbello stole the flat mile turf feature, as the stretch out sprinter held on by a nose over stalking fav and recent grad Gooch’s Dream.

Friday (12-05-08) Hollywood Park preview

Friday’s 8-race card features a trio of turf races, and note that speed has been winning at a better than average clip on the sod recently. Pick 6 slate wiped clean.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 8th race from Hollywood Park.

The 5th race, a non-winners of two lifetime claiming sprint, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 5 (Clm-12.5/2L, 3up, 6f)

(1) Sure Thing Eva (5-2) – Sadler trainee sports 1-23 career mark. Rosario 0-5 with this barn.

(2) Protectorofallevil (4-1) – Has settled for the show in three starts versus similar this year.

(3) Greatest (20-1) – Failed to threaten in 6 starts at the 2L level.

(4) High Intellect (4-1) – Mullins trainee needed even effort last time.

(5) Bullya (3-1) – Earned strong pace figs in show finish last out.

(6) Orientation Hall (5-1) – Graduated in 11th outing at 7f last time. Shorter trip doesn’t help.

(7) Magic Mike (8-1) – Late runner yet to threaten winners.

Analysis: High Intellect is better than his needed last, and Mullins is 22% 2nd off a layoff. Expect improved early foot this afternoon. Bullya is a serious prominent throughout threat with anything resembling his last. Sure Thing Eva is an underlaid late runner.

The $20 Play:

$8 to win High Intellect
$4 exacta High Intellect/Bullya
$8 quinella High Intellect/Bullya

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (12-04-08): Second Hand Lion stalked and faded at 6-1.

Overall: (-111) through 27 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Joe Talamo booted home a pair.

Porto Santo (FR) got back on the beam in the grassy 4th, and he was surely helped by the scratch of Liberian Freighter.

Belmont Cat (NZ) was always traveling well en route to a smart one-length tally under Mike Smith in the turf feature. John Sadler has yet another talented runner in his barn.

Thursday (12-04-08) Hollywood Park preview

Thursday’s 8-race card features a Pick 6 (races 3-8) carryover of $88,094.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 8th race from Hollywood Park.

The 6th race, a state bred special weight sprint, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 6 (MSW, CA-bred f&m 3up, 6.5f)

(1) Dulce Madero (20-1) – Mulhall 2-82 FTS.

(2) Call Me Rhett (30-1) – Nothing in a pair of turf starts.

(3) Just Charmed (2-1) – Even 4th in 7-1 bow. Barn 1-23 at current meet.

(4) Second Hand Lion (6-1) – Improved effort versus maiden claimers 2nd time out.

(5) Raise the River (5-2) – Highly regarded in 2007. Working well for return.

(6) Drake Lake (3-1) – In Excess 17% debut sire, but Sadler only 8% with FTS.

(7) Buck’s Bro (6-1) – Blinkers on after okay 5th in July.

(8) Arrogant Carson (20-1) – Speed/fade in longshot bow.

Analysis: Just Charmed can improve for 21% 2nd timer trainer Craig Dollase, but he’s uncharacteristically cold at the current meet. Drake Lake could be a runner for the 33% Bejarano/Sadler team. Second Hand Lion earned a quality speed rating despit breaking slow from the rail last time. He’s up from the maiden claiming ranks and could surprise for decent connections. Raise the River is a dangerous returnee for Carla Gaines. She was favored in her three long ago starts.

The $20 Play:

$8 to win Second Hand Lion
$6 quinella Second Hand Lion/Raise the River
$1 trifecta Second Hand Lion, Raise the River with Just Charmed, Drake Lake, Buck’s Bro with Second Hand Lion, Raise the River ($6)

Daily Wager recap

Wednesday (12-03-08): Liberian Freighter scratched.

Overall: (-91) through 26 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Outstanding turf rider Ramon Dominguez brought home both Grade 1’s. Tyler Baze booted home a pair. Paulo Lobo saddled two winners on the card, including Kentucky Derby also-ran Gayego, who appears headed to the Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26th.

Chilean bred Cocoa Beach, runner up to Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, ran down Robert Frankel’s lone speedster Precious Kitten in the grassy flat mile Matriarch (G1). Frankel also landed the show with Visit-GB.

Court Vision (YouTube replay below) stormed from the back of the pack to land the Hollywood Derby (G1) for Bill Mott. Place finisher Cowboy Cal handles turf/synthetic and is expected to contest the Strub Series at Santa Anita this winter. Frankel picked up another minor award with Midships.

Wednesday (12-03-08) Hollywood Park preview

Wednesday’s 8-race card features a pair of allowance turf routes.

My racingonthenet free selection is the 6th race from Hollywood.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 8th race from Hollywood Park.

The 4th race, the 1st of two allowance turf routes, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 4 (Alw-50k, 3up, 8.5T)

(1) Black Astor (5-1) – Speed to compliment nice inside draw.

(2) Porto Santo (5-1) – Cannot find last win. Will be running late.

(3) Band of Thunder (7-2) – Win type tries a route of ground and is bred to handle it.

(4) Men’s Magazine (3-1) – Classy Italian transplant needed even US bow.

(5) Epic Power (5-1) – Gritty 7yo gelding is 0-8 this year.

(6) Liberian Freighter (5-2) – The now horse will make his presence felt throughout.

Analysis: Liberian Freighter is on top of his game for Drysdale, and the imposing 3yo gelding is 3-4 at this course and distance. Flores has options with the speedy son of Bertrando, as he can watch the race unfold from his outside post. Men’s Magazine was sensational in 2006, but he has only started once since. Band of Thunder likes to win races and will be tested for stamina today.

The $20 Play:
$20 to win Liberian Freighter

Daily Wager recap

Sunday (11-30-08): Talkin To Mom Roo could not overcome a less than ideal trip from the inside post and had to settle for the place behind classy controlling speed Gayego.

Overall: (-91) through 25 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever