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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK DECEMBER 5, 2008 by John Mucciolo A six-pack of graded tests highlighted the Turf Festival at Hollywood Park. Matriarch S. (G1): Godolphin's brilliant COCOA BEACH (Chi) (Doneraile Court) rallied to reel in a clear Precious Kitten (Catienus) while adding to her impressive resume. The stellar four-year-old sizzled her final half-mile in :22 4/5 while finishing off the one-mile grass test in 1:35 2/5 under a strong ride from Ramon Dominguez. Hollywood Derby (G1): IEAH and WinStar's COURT VISION (Gulch) outclassed this field with a sterling late rally in this one beneath Dominguez. The three-year-old colt was last for the opening mile prior to blitzing this group, reaching the wire in 2:01 2/5 for 1 1/4 miles for Bill Mott. Citation H. (G1): Prestonwood Farm's HYPERBARIC (Sky Classic) finally broke through in a big event with a convincing score in this deep field for conditioner Julio Canani. The ultra-consistent five-year-old set moderate fractions and never backed up in completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 1/5 under Tyler Baze. Hollywood Turf Express S. (G3): Hi Card Ranch's homebred CALIFORNIA FLAG (Avenue of Flags) ran this group off their feet in a dominant, 4 1/2-length romp for trainer Brian Koriner. The ridiculously fast gelding ran 6 1/2 panels in 1:08 4/5 under the guidance of Joe Talamo. Generous S. (G3): Cecil Peacock's MR. ROD (Scrimshaw) was allowed a clear early lead, and the colt did the rest, clocking one mile in a speedy 1:35 for Dan Hendricks. The juvenile has been an easy winner in both career turf outings and was never under serious duress in this test beneath Chantal Sutherland. Miesque S. (G3): Shadwell's blue-blooded HABAYA (Storm Cat) rallied turning for home and proved best in here for Kiaran McLaughlin, edging clear to a three-quarters of a length score under Richard Migliore. The two-year-old filly got the mile in 1:37 to secure her first graded score. Track Stats From a total of 44 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 54 percent of the wins. From 36 frays contested on the main oval, 14 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (39 percent), while four of the 10 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (40 percent). Speed played a big part over both the main and turf ovals over the past week, combining for 18 wins over the 46 combined events. Sunday yielded five winners from six runs over the Cushion oval, but each of those winners made sense, with the longest shot being 9-2. With that said, early speed was very key in sprint races over the final days of the week, with 45 percent of the first-place finishers going wire-to-wire. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins)
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (11/26) 4TH -- JU JU BABY (Snow Ridge) put forth a solid effort in her West Coast debut for Howard Zucker, staying on well to just miss the place spot in this affair. This one deserves a long look next out against similar. 7TH -- FOREST MELODY (Forest Camp) might have found a new home on the synthetic oval after racing almost exclusively on the green for Paula Capestro. The hard-trying mare was never challenged in this test and rates a longshot chance versus stakes foes in her subsequent try. Thursday (11/27) 6TH -- Grade 2 queen BSHARPSONATA (Pulpit) made a successful return to the track with an impressive tally over a smart cast in here, drawing away late under Garrett Gomez. Sent of at a generous 7-1, the talented sophomore smoked six panels in 1:07 4/5 and is a stakes winner on a trio of surfaces. 7TH -- FIFTEEN LOVE (Point Given) offered a useful late rally in his U.S. debut, and the three-year-old colt appears to be a nice prospect for Bobby Frankel. Friday (11/28) 6TH -- INTERNALLYFLAWLESS (Giant's Causeway) has never run a bad one on the lawn, and the juvenile miss closed with excellent ability to finish second to a classy sort. The Bob Baffert pupil could probably handle some added ground and she appears to have a very high ceiling. 9TH -- CAPE HATCHET (Cape Canaveral) showed great heart ion holding off a 3-5 shot in here for Doug O'Neill, recording his second win in three starts off the claim in the process. The sophomore colt closed strongly into a moderate pace and seems capable of another furlong. Saturday (11/29) 4TH -- MISS DOLCE (Unbridled's Song) set rapid early splits and gamely held on in her debut for John Sadler, upending a well-meant favorite by a head. The expensive juvenile miss should improve off of this showing and be a force versus stakes foes in her next try. LADY LUMBERJACK (Forestry) ran huge in defeat and shouldn't be a maiden for long for Canani. The miss has been second to a pair of solid prospects and should breakthrough next out. 5TH -- The consistent BITTEL ROAD (Stormy Atlantic) was a clear second in here and continues to impress for trainer Todd Pletcher. The Grade 3 hero ran into a clear leader who got away with mild splits, but the runner-up still rallied well in another fine showing. 6TH -- CHOBE CHIKA (Forest Camp) led at every call but the last in an intriguing run at first asking for conditioner Ron McAnally. The two-year-old hails from a barn that rarely sends out debut winners, so one has to think that the filly can really run. Sunday (11/30) 4TH -- GAYEGO (Gilded Time) returned a fresh runner and smashed the track record in a sparkling six-furlong run for Paolo Lobo. The Grade 2 hero has a ton of class and is likely better at one-turn, leading us to believe that he could be a force in the Malibu S. (G1). 8TH -- RESPLENDENTLY (Birdstone) rallied well while wide for Tom Bell, and we like the colt's chances of running a big one with a swifter start in his return. The expensive two-year-old purchase came home in :29 for his final 2 1/2 panels. A Look Ahead The $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1), $150,000 Bayakoa H. (G2) and $100,000 Native Diver H. (G3) are the centerpiece events for the upcoming weekend.
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