Fair Grounds begins their 3rd week of racing on Nov 20th, so in the meantime I’ll give Hollywood Park another gander. Before I preview the Nov 19th card from Hollywood, let’s look back at the Wednesday program.
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 …read more

Before I preview the Nov 18th card from Hollywood, let’s look back at the first three days of the meet.
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. …read more

The 2009 fall meet from Hollywood Park gets underway on Friday, November 13th, and the 8-race program will be run under the lights.
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 …read more

Breeders’ Cup entrants continue to go through their final paces as the big days loom, and Zenyatta made a favorable Halloween impression at Hollywood Park.
The undefeated miss breezed an effortless six furlongs in 1:12.40, and her morning jaunt was reportedly better than her final Cup move in ‘08. Earlier this year she did not seem to be quite as sharp as she was last season, but all of that has changed now, and she appears poised to deliver the goods in the Cup.
In other Classic works, Summer Bird went five furlongs in :59.28 at Santa Anita. In his …read more

Part four of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the final four pre-entrants.
Colonel John rates a longshot look in the Classic. 2-time local graded winner just missed in the Goodwood, and he won the Grade 1 Travers at this distance last year. He was my Ky Derby top in ‘08, and I have always had a soft spot for him. He was visually impressive winning the Wickerr on the turf earlier this year, and I would like to see him return to the weeds at some point.
Chocolate Candy is familiar …read more

Part three of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the next four pre-entrants.
Mine That Bird shocked the world on the first Saturday in May with an improbable late running win in the Kentucky Derby. He had lost three straight before that, and he has dropped four starts since. Sustained runner is always at the mercy of the pace, and the 4-time synthetic winner finished last in the ‘08 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. He was 6th of 10 when last seen in the Goodwood, the final local prep …read more

Part two of my Breeders’ Cup Classic blog, and below is a look at the next four pre-entrants.
Regal Ransom started his career in the US, and he was sent to Dubai for the winter following a disappointing effort in the ‘08 Norfolk at Santa Anita. He has been part of the exacta in 4 of 5 starts since, with his only below par effort a speed/fade trip in the Ky Derby. He returned from a 4+ month layoff to easily wire the Super Derby, and he continues to work well. Biggest questions are his …read more

As expected, Zenyatta has been pre-entered in both the Ladies’ Classic and against males in the $5 million Classic. Everyone would love to see her take on the gents, and I have a feeling she will do just that.
The Shirreffs trainee has won all thirteen of her lifetime starts, and it would be great if she could go out on top in the toughest challenge of her career. 7-time grade one winner is 4 for 4 at Santa Anita.
Overseas invaders dominated the 2008 Classic, with Raven’s Pass (John Gosden) and Henrythenavigator (Aidan O’Brien) leading the way. …read more

Indian Blessing, ‘08 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up, has decided to take a pass on that same race this year. Her conditioner Bob Baffert has reportedly not been happy with her recent training. She is better on conventional dirt, but it is too bad she is skipping the Cup.
In other Breeders Cup news, Classic contender Summer Bird worked between races at Santa Anita on Oct 25th. He went five furlongs in 1:00.45 under regular rider Kent Desormeaux. As is always the case in works leading up to big races, the connections were …read more

Undefeated mare Zenyatta, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic winner, worked six furlongs in company at Hollywood Park on Oct 23rd.
The John Shirreffs trainee bested her two stablemates in 1:11.20, and the strong morning move was the best of ten at the distance.
It remains to be seen whether she defends her Ladies’ Classic title or tackles males in the BC Classic. She will be pre-entered in both races.
In other Ladies’ Classic news, Icon Project, who missed the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland earlier this month, has been retired with a tendon injury.
Barry Abrams trainee Lethal Heat …read more