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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK JUNE 5, 2013 by John Mucciolo There was a pair of graded tilts over the weekend at Hollywood Park. Californian S. (G2): Petralia et al's CLUBHOUSE RIDE (Candy Ride) swept to the front in early stretch and kept all others at bay late in posting a 2 1/4-length win in this spot under Garrett Gomez. The five-year-old Craig Lewis trainee clocked nine panels on the Cushion oval in 1:50. Affirmed H. (G3): S. A. Y. Racing LLC's TIZ A MINISTER (Minister's Wildcat) was last early, gained momentum in the lane and flew past his foes to post his first graded win in here for trainer Paul Aguirre. The Cal-bred sophomore stopped the teletimer in 1:45 3/5 for nine furlongs under Corey Nakatani, finishing one length clear under the line. Track Stats From a total of 34 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 53 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (33 percent), while two horses went all the way on the lead from 10 turf events (20 percent). Speed on the main oval was dominant on Thursday, with all seven winners on the Cushion Track sitting in first or second in the early going. Four of those led in wire-to-wire fashion. The times remain rather slow for the second or third straight week, and this most recent stanza produced a lot of daylight winners, something we're not accustomed to at this venue. We stick to the theory that this oval is tiring, and saving ground throughout is a good thing. Both of the wire jobs on the lawn came in sprint runs, but we also saw horses in the mix early get the job done in turf route races. We'd have to say the grass racing here has been very fair once again. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (5/30) 5TH -- JOELITO (Rock Hard Ten) continued to show his good turf ability with an allowance score over a nice field in here for John Sadler. The sophomore colt has really taken to the green and should be stakes bound next out. 6TH-- SWEET LULU (Mr. Greeley) was pounded at the windows and showed why with a powerful debut win in this spot for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The sophomore filly could evolve into a solid one-turn runner with expected improvement, and she may also take to the lawn with her breeding. 7TH -- CHIEF HAVOC (Giant's Causeway) makes a return to this list following a fine 4 3/4-length score in this allowance race for trainer Peter Miller. The well-bred sophomore has speed and can run all day, so he's another who should be testing the stakes ranks before long. Friday (5/31) 3RD -- SYNDICATED (Midnight Lute) was all heart in this win off the bench for trainer Michael Pender. The three-year-old colt was passed in the lane but battled back in topping the favorite in what looked like a match race, and he should only get stronger as the season moves on. 5TH -- U'NARACK (Unusual Heat) was the only speed horse in this race that was around late in finishing a fine third this afternoon. The sophomore gelding faced elders in here, and with a more sensible trip next time he should be very live. Saturday (6/1) 1ST -- ET TU WALKER (Shakespeare) is in sensational form and was much the best in a good field in this one, taking over late despite lugging in some in the lane. The Doug O'Neill trainee has now rolled home to a trio of impressive turf sprints in succession and could be worthy of a stakes spot soon with his renewed energy on the green. 4TH -- The layoff did little to alter the ability of WINNINGCONNECTIONS (Read the Footnotes) in this race, as the Craig Dollase streaked home a fine winner off the pine. The second-time starter relished the time off and class drop, and will surely be facing starter foes in his comeback outing. Sunday (6/2) 6TH -- We're not sure where this came from, but ROYAL TIGER (Hold That Tiger) took the lead and never looked back in posting a 14-length thrashing of these foes for trainer Mark Glatt in this heat. The six-year-old mare earned a lifetime best 98 Speed rating in this rout and we can't ignore here next time out if she ends up in a realistic spot. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to a pair of graded stakes at Hollywood Park. The Grade 2, $200,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap and the Grade 2, $150,000 Honeymoon Handicap will top the weekend stakes action.
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