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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK APRIL 28, 2010 by John Mucciolo California Gold Rush Day was the centerpiece during the opening week at Hollywood. Inglewood H. (G3): Chris and Diane Randall's GALLANT SON (Malabar Gold) deservedly broke through at this level with a closing, 1 3/4-length win under Mike Smith. The hard-trying four-year-old finished off 1 1/16-miles on the firm lawn in a rapid 1:39 3/5 for Frank Lucarelli. California Gold Rush Day: Congratulations to all of the connections surrounding the following runners who struck gold at Hollywood on Saturday: ALPHIE'S BET (Tribal Rule), CAMILLE C (Roman Dancer), U R ALL THAT I AM (Valid Wager), EXCELLENT NEWS (Rahy), FANTASY FREE (Free House), UNCLE DON (Lemon Drop Kid), MONEY LOVER (Marino Marini) and FUN AND FROLIC (Freespool). Track Stats From a total of 35 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 54 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the Cushion oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while two of the 10 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (20 percent). This racing surface here is quite different than that of the one installed at Santa Anita, as opening week indicated. Speed is much more dangerous on this strip, and it is surely more prone to having biases. Opening day yielded four wire jobs from five races contested on the main oval, while four won in front-running fashion on Saturday from eight main strip events (combined eight for 13). Conversely, not a single winner led at every call on Friday or Sunday from a combined 12 Cushion tussles. From a post position standpoint, everything seemed legitimate with 19 of the 25 main-track winners breaking from posts 1-6. Saving ground doesn't hurt, though. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (4/21) 1ST -- BELLEOFTHEBRIDLE (Yes It's True) won the first race of the meeting in fine fashion, leading at every call in a 5 3/4-length romp over her male foes in here. The Walther Solis pupil could be any kind and warrants respect next out no matter where she appears. 5TH -- SURFER GIRL (Brz) (Wild Event) made a nice late run while not seriously challenging for the win in here, and we'd still like to see the Mike Puype trainee go one mile over this turf course. We'll tab her if she does. Friday (4/23) 3RD -- IRISH TORRENT (Giant's Causeway) rallied bravely between runners late and just missed in a strong third-place finish in this one for Beau Greely. The four-year-old filly deserves a long look next time. 5TH -- We still maintain that HOCKLEY (A.P. Indy) is better than what he has shown to date, as the well-bred colt has strung together a trio of useful races in succession and might be ready to bust out. We'd love to see the bay return to dirt. Saturday (4/24) 2ND -- Three-year-old KILLER BEAR (Northern Devil) came out of nowhere to run a huge second in here at a big number for Steve Knapp. We won't be getting 48-1, but we'll keep a close watch on the colt, who faced elders in here, next out. 8TH -- It was good to see GET FUNKY (Straight Man) back into the winner's circle for John Sadler, as the seven-year-old proved that he still has fight left in him. Sunday (4/25) 7TH -- BEST MON (Maria's Mon) showed a ton of heart in battling back on the rail after being passed by a pair of runners at the top of the stretch to get a well-deserved win for Paul Aguirre. We're not sold on the caliber of this field, but we did like the way the lightly raced gelding got his win. A Look Ahead The $100,000 Wilshire H. (G3) on Saturday and Sunday's $100,000 Senorita S. (G3) on Sunday are the graded races slated for Kentucky Derby (G1) weekend at Hollywood.
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