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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 27, 2008 by John Mucciolo A pair of Grade 3 tests led the way during the week at Hollywood Park. Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3): Mooncoin's homebred JOHNNY EVES (Skimming) proved best under Garrett Gomez in here, driving home in the three-path to post a one-length score. The Grade 1 hero hadn't previously won in 2008, but he showed the tenacity in this dash that yielded him great success in the latter part of 2007. Trained by Jay Robbins, the gelding finished off six panels in a brisk 1:07 4/5. Hollywood Prevue S. (G3): Bruce Chandler et al's JACK O'LANTERN (Flatter) made a quick rise from maiden claimers to graded foes with a strong closing effort in here to pull a big upset for Richard Matlow. The rapidly improving juvenile skimmed the rail throughout and spurted clear in early stretch, holding off a belated try from Azul Leon (Lion Heart) while completing the seven furlongs in 1:21 4/5. Track Stats From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the week, favorites won at a 31 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 35 frays contested on the main oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (26 percent), while two of the seven grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (29 percent). Over the final three days of the week, just one horse broke from an outside post (seven or wider), but horses did win while traveling wide to squash an inside bias theory. Early speed was solid this week, but the track continues to be consistent throughout the meet. Meet Totals RACES: 170 Post Positions (wins): RAIL: 25 HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (11/19) 5TH -- JOE'SGIRLISGOLDEN (Siberian Summer) tracked the speed early and stayed on well to earn a narrow win for trainer Jorge Periban, taking her second race in succession. The California-bred miss didn't top much in here, but she clearly has ability. 6TH -- FUTURO (Golden Missile) has improved a great deal since adding blinkers and appears to have a promising future for Richard Mandella. The sophomore has plenty of conditions left to explore and could turn out to be a fine money earner for B. Wayne Hughes. Thursday (11/20) 2ND -- While claiming off of Mike Mitchell never seems like the wisest thing to do, conditioner Danny Velasquez may have found a nice one in COLORFUL DANCER (Rainbow Blues [Ire]), who finished a solid third in here. The speedy juvenile filly should be pretty playable next out if placed in a proper spot. 6TH -- The talented PERFECT HOSTESS (Perfect Mandate) had enough trouble in here to warrant a play next out, but the athletic filly overcame it to win impressively with the blinkers added for this race. She's a solid commodity at this level. 7TH -- FANATICAL (GB) (Mind Games) kept excellent company in Europe and ran into a good field in her U.S. debut earlier this year, but we were very disappointed with her effort, or lack thereof, on this day. The James Cassidy trainee was never asked to run in here while making her first start off the shelf, so we'll give her one more try before dispatching her. Friday (11/21) 5TH -- The last-to-first move in here by former watch horse RANSOM CAPTIVE (Red Ransom) was pretty awesome, so it's pretty safe to say that the filly should stick to turf sprints in the near future. The four-year-old earned a nearly lifetime best 95 BRIS Speed number for her smart tally. 6TH -- FANTASY FREE (Free House) did everything right but win in this one, as the gelding finished four lengths clear of his nearest foe for Rafael Becerra. That one-for-20 record isn't pretty, but he's been in the mix most of his latest synthetic efforts and shouldn't be ignored due to his affinity for settling for minor awards. Saturday (11/22) 3RD -- We're still perplexed that no one has claimed TIMIAS (Seeking the Gold) out of either of his last pair of outings for John Sadler, as the six-year-old is in superb form and is now starter allowance eligible. He looked more workmanlike than brilliant in here, but he still garnered a strong 92 BRIS Speed figure for his win. 5TH -- CAT BRULAY (Storm Cat) had no chance with the favored winner in here who had an easy early lead, but the Darrell Vienna was clearly the second best runner in this cast and chased valiantly through the lane. 7TH -- NOBLE COURT (Doneraile Court) didn't get going until too late in here, but the Sadler pupil had a ton of late energy and just might need a stretch longer to negotiate in order to come out on top in these types of events. A Look Ahead The upcoming week is loaded, with the Turf Festival running from November 28-30. Friday has the $400,000 Citation H. (G1) and $100,000 Miesque S. (G3), Saturday's big ones are the $150,000 Hollywood Turf Express S. (G3) and $100,000 Generous S. (G3), while the Sunday action is led by the $500,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) and $500,000 Matriarch S. (G1). It should be a great weekend of turf racing, but let's hope the weather doesn't dampen things too much!
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