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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK JUNE 12, 2013 by John Mucciolo There was a pair of graded tilts on the lawn over the weekend at Hollywood Park. Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G2): Kretz Racing LLC's TALE OF A CHAMPION (Tale of a Cat) took a short lead nearing midstretch and inched clear to a one-length upset for conditioner Kristin Mulhall. The five-year-old endured 10 furlongs on the firm lawn in 2:01 1/5 under the guidance of Joe Talamo. Honeymoon H. (G2): Wertheimer and Frere's homebred SARACH (Arch) was sent to the lead from the start by Garrett Gomez and never looked back in posting a one-length win in this turf affair. The Richard Mandella trainee traveled 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 3/5 under Martin Garcia. Track Stats From a total of 36 races held at the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 42 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while two horses went all the way on the lead from 13 turf events (15 percent). Both turf wire jobs occurred on Saturday, one in a route event and the other in a six-furlong dash. No horses led all the way over the other three days of the race week, but we saw horses laying close and still prevailing. We thought closers had the edge over Saturday and Sunday, as a lot of logical runners who were on the lead backed up some in the lane. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (6/6) 7TH -- WEDNESDAY (Medaglia d'Oro) topped a pretty solid field here with a steady run and gives the impression of a filly who could get more ground in the future for conditioner Carla Gaines. The sophomore filly has a nice foundation and will continue to grow with expected improvement for a good barn. 8TH -- MIDNIGHT LADY (Cindago) swept to the front with a big move and poured it on through the lane in a fine debut win for conditioner John Sadler. This filly left a fine impression ink here in running a solid time and we doubt that she will be in for a tag next time. Friday (6/7) 7TH -- SIROCCO STRIKE (Forestry) was full of horse while buried on the rail to the final turn but never accelerated the way we expected once clear as the favorite on this day. The Jeff Mullins charge still has a lot of ability, and smooth sailing throughout should result in a win next time. Saturday (6/8) 1ST -- CASTAWAY (Street Sense) is really heading in the right direction for trainer Bob Baffert. The graded winner has now put in two very good efforts in succession and the four-year-old colt was pulling away well in the latter stages today. He could be stakes bound next time out. 7TH -- DECLASSIFY (Orientate) proved his debut romp was no fluke after dusting this fairly solid field by 7 1/2 easy lengths for Baffert. We love the way in both starts that this colt was push button was given his cue and he really might be any type. The expensive colt really appears to be a nice one. Sunday (6/9) 5TH -- ERNIE OWL (Tale of the Cat) was last of the 10 at midstretch, but closed with a big rush to get up late today for conditioner Jorge Periban. The game gelding now shows a trio of wins in his last five and is a very useful sort despite his inconsistencies. 9TH -- RED OUTLAW (Tribal Rule) dueled on the front, edged clear in midstretch and posted a solid 2 3/4-length tally at first asking in this spot for trainer Peter Miller. The gelded juvenile topped what we thought was a fair field and the youngster could be worthy of a stakes try in the near future. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to the Grade 1, $250,000 Vanity Handicap, as well as an additional pair of listed stakes events.
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