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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK MAY 9, 2008 by John Mucciolo A pair of graded stakes headlined the week at Hollywood Park. Inglewood H. (G3): Stonestreet Stables' EL ROBLAR (War Chant) gained the lead in upper stretch and gamely held late under Victor Espinoza to take this event. The Richard Mandella charge was a half-length clear on the line in completing the 1 1/16-mile firm turf test in 1:40 1/5. Hawthorne S. (G3): Watson and Weitman Performances' TOUGH TIZ'S SIS (Tiznow) once again displayed her tenacity and affinity for the synthetic going with a gritty, three-quarters of a length tally for Bob Baffert. The classy four-year-old went 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 4/5 under Aaron Gryder. Track Stats From a total of 44 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the week, favorites won at a 30-percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Cushion Track, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while two of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent). Inside posts were dominant early in the week, bagging 13 of the 16 races on Wednesday and Thursday. The rail was especially good for the first two days as well, with eight winners breaking from the innermost post. The racing here is almost opposite that of Santa Anita, where inside posts and early speed appeared to be at a huge disadvantage for the duration of the meet. Winners are still scoring from all parts of this Cushion Track, but being into the race early and saving ground appear to be key factors in many circumstances. This turf course is helpful to speed types due to its rock-hard nature, but it seems that the right horse can win from anywhere. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins)
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (4/30) 3RD - ATKA (Swiss Yodeler) was especially sharp in this one for Mike Harrington, who is often cranked up with his babies at this meet. This two-year-old miss swept to the front and drew off convincingly beneath Jon Court, getting 4 1/2 furlongs in :51 1/5 at first asking. 7TH - MADEO (Mizzen Mast) answered the two-turn test with flying colors for John Shirreffs, and the impressive colt should be stakes bound in his next start. The three-year-old colt has now won two straight in solid fashion and could be any type. Thursday (5/1) 7TH - STARRY PURSUIT (Van Nistelrooy) crushed this group with a strong finish for Jerry Hollendorfer, getting six grassy furlongs in a brisk 1:08 3/5. The chestnut filly will be awfully tough in her return engagement with anything resembling this effort. Friday (5/2) 2ND - SURPRISES WELCOMED (Storm Cat) ran a winning race in defeat for Eric Guillot, and this one shouldn't be a maiden for long. The three-year-old miss held on gamely for the place and will only get better with experience. 3RD - EXTENDED (Swiss Yodeler) did everything right except holding on at the wire in a tough debut loss for trainer Brian Koriner. The juvenile filly is a must-use in her second career outing after finishing more than three lengths clear of the third-place finisher. Saturday (5/3) 4TH - There were some nice maiden winners in the past week, but maybe none more impressive than the winning effort put in by WINK AT THE GIRLS (Halo's Image) for Rafael Becerra. The sophomore colt showed early speed and never looked, reaching the line in a strong 1:21 1/5 for seven-eighths. The dark bay was second in his most recent try and improved nicely in here. He appears to have a bright future. 7TH - GUTS (Unusual Heat) was last after the opening half-mile but flew home to get up late for conditioner Barry Abrams. The gelded sophomore completed his final three-sixteenths of a mile in a sparkling :28 3/5 beneath Joel Rosario. Sunday (5/4) 1ST - SEVEN POINT ONE (Richter Scale) was blocked along the inside at the top of the lane but showed energy once clear for Vladimir Cerin. The five-year-old was outmoved by the winner approaching the final turn, but ran evenly with that one for the final furlong. He should be live next out, and he gave us the impression that he could handle one mile, or possibly more. 7TH - STAND TALL (Tejano Run) went off a square price in here, which surprised us, and he could have won by much more for trainer Julio Canani. The Kentucky-bred enjoyed a nice rail-skimming ride by Martin Pedroza and opened up in the blink of an eye at the head of the stretch. A Look Ahead A nice weekend of racing will take place at Hollywood, with a trio of graded stakes taking place on Saturday. The marquee event of the weekend is the $250,000 Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2) for turf marathoners going 1 1/2 miles on the lawn. The Saturday undercard includes the $100,000 Los Angeles H. (G3) at seven furlongs and the $100,000 Senorita S. (G3) for sophomore fillies on the green. The main attraction on Sunday is the $100,000 Railbird S. (G3), for three-year-old fillies traveling seven-eighths on the Cushion.
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