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

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

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

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

Early/pressing types held the edge on Cushion Track. Turf played fair in the two stakes races as pace made the race.

Tyler Baze booted home a pair, including sharp wire job aboard Hyperbaric in the Grade 1 Citation.

In the Grade 3 Miesque, Habaya (Kiaran McLaughlin) received a heady ride from The Mig and was able to hold off my top Internallyflawless (Gomez-Baffert), who was stuck in traffic before launching a late wide rally from the back of the pack.

Saturday (11-29-08) Hollywood Park preview

Saturday’s 10-race Turf Festival (Day 2) card features the Grade 3 Generous and Grade 3 Hollywood Turf Express.

My racingonthenet free selection is the 2nd race from Hollywood.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 9th race from Hollywood Park.

The 5th race, the Grade 3 Generous, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 5 (Grade 3 Generous, 2yo, 8T)

(1) Bittel Road (9-5) – Surprisingly part of strong pace in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile turf. Expect patient handling today. YouTube replay of his maiden win posted below.

(2) Mr. Rod (6-1) – Exits turf sprint maiden win. Pace factor at most today.

(3) Hype (7-2) – Packs potent late kick.

(4) Battle of Hastings (6-1) – Improving overseas invader on 2-race win streak. Mullins trains now.

(5) Mensa Heat (20-1) – Cal bred son of Unusual Heat should love turf, but this is a tough spot.

(6) Insurgence (12-1) – Sharp Woodbine maiden turf win with blinkers.

(7) Bourbon Bay (3-1) – Too late in optional claiming prep for this. Drysdale adds blinkers.

(8) Liturgical (20-1) – Nothing in a pair of US starts for O’Neill.

Analysis: Bourbon Bay appeared to be going nowhere fast last time, but he somehow kicked it in late to just miss. Maybe blinkers will get him in the bit and help him keep his mind on business. Bejarano shows up here. Bittel Road should appreciate the switch to the patient Mike Smith, and he has a target in Mr. Rod. Battle of Hastings is the mystery horse.

The $20 Play:

$8 to win Bourbon Bay
$8 exacta Bourbon Bay/Bittel Road
$4 quinella Battle of Hastings/Bourbon Bay

Daily Wager recap

Friday (11-28-08): Nailed the suggested $6 Hyperbaric-Formal Decree quinella ($31.80) and cleared $75.40 on the race.

Overall: (-51) through 23 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Thursday (11-27-08) Hollywood Park recap

Cushion Track played fair with a trio of 8.5 furlong wire jobs.

Garrett Gomez booted home a pair, and Marcelo Polanco saddled two winners on the Thanksgiving Day card.

Nice confidence boosting maiden win for Oro Blanco in the opener. She has been competitive versus winners and will likely return to the stakes ranks shortly. Nice comeback win for Bsharpsonata in the Playa del Rey. That was her first start for Pletcher, and bigger things are on the horizon. Prompt fav Slew’s Tiznow easily captured the War Chant for Bejarano/O’Neill.

Friday (11-28-08) Hollywood Park preview

Friday’s 10-race card kicks off the 3-day turf festival and features the Grade 3 Miesque (race 6) & Grade 1 Citation (race 8).

There is a Pick 6 carryover of $79,919 (races 5-10), and a Super High 5 carryover of $46,270 (race 10).

The Grade 3 Miesque is my MySpace free selection of the day.

The 8th race, the Grade 1 Citation Handicap, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 8 (Grade 1 Citation Handicap, 3up, 8.5T)

(1) Hyperbaric (3-1) – Owns fine early/pressing speed. Consistent gelding shoots for four straight wins.

(2) Galantas (20-1) – Tactical speed and graded stakes placed.

(3) Ferneley (12-1) – Exits sharp optional claiming score. Flopped in both US graded tries.

(4) Lord Admiral (12-1) – Late running 7yo horse has failed in last two US starts.

(5) Becrux (20-1) – Got back on beam for new trainer Sadler over synthetic. Has back class but is not fond of this turf course.

(6) Rebellion (6-1) – Late runner exits 2nd in BC Dirt Mile. Seems most effective around one turn.

(7) Medici Code (15-1) – Exits much needed allowance prep. Appears best at Del Mar.

(8) Proudinsky (6-1) – Tailed off in last pair. 3rd in softer edition of this race last year.

(9) Whatsthescript (5-2) – 3rd in Breeders’ Cup Mile (YouTube replay below). Packs strong late kick.

(10) Formal Decree (9-2) – Exits sharp graded Belmont win. Versatile and dangerous.

Analysis: There is not a ton of pace in the paper race, and sharp New York invader Formal Decree might take it to these from the outset. He looked good in latest score, and place finisher Strike A Deal came back to win a graded event. Hyperbaric always runs his race and should sit a great ground saving tracking trip. Whatsthescript is the one to fear late, along with Rebellion.

The $20 Play:
$14 to win Formal Decree
$6 quinella Hyperbaric/Formal Decree

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (11-27-08): Did not have Bsharpsonata in the co-feature.

Overall: (-126.40) through 22 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Hyperbaric Photo Credit:Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever