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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 18, 2009 by John Mucciolo There were no graded races during the opening weekend of Hollywood Park. Track Stats From a total of 26 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the three-day week, favorites won at a 27 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 46 percent of the wins. From 18 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (33 percent), while three of the eight grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (37 percent). With just a small sample of races held, we won't snap into any judgments about the racing oval just yet, although it seems evident that this is not Santa Anita. Speed is good on this main strip, especially so on Sunday, and this is a trend that will likely hold true for the duration of the meeting. The firm turf is very fair to early types, as well. At this juncture, it seems as though the right animal can break from any post and win from virtually anywhere on the Cushion, although as we stated before, those with early speed will likely have a little edge. Meet Totals:
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Friday (11/13) 5TH -- FIREY RED (Ire) (Pivotal) showed us enough in her U.S. debut to tab for big improvement next out. The Dermot Weld-trained sophomore wasn't facing much in here, but it was her initial effort since early September and it's more than possible that she was just prepping for a bigger event later in the year. Her final quarter-mile shaded :22 and she wants more ground! 7TH -- Old timer SHADOW OF ILLINOIS (Illinois Storm) continues to prove that age can't hold him back with yet another top turf sprint showing for Anthony Saavedra. The gelded nine-year-old stopped the timer on this day in a brisk 1:08 3/5, recording a fairly comfortable tally under Alex Solis. Saturday (11/14) 3RD -- Debuting TWIRLING CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) was heavily backed in here, and deservedly so, in a smart first showing for John Sadler. We're more than intrigued by this one, as he looked tons the best while signaling that vast improvement is likely around the corner. We'll be watching this one into his sophomore campaign. NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR (Lido Palace [Chi]) was well clear in second in a fine first run for conditioner Michael Machowsky, and it seems logical that the colt will graduate before long. 7TH -- Sadler also had impressive allowance star MONOLINGUAL (Maria's Mon) on this day, a three-year-old colt who crushed a useful group late to win his second in three starts. The gray came home fast and seems to be peaking -- a stakes try should follow. Sunday (11/15) 7TH -- It is difficult to win more impressively at first asking than debuter SHE'S FUNOMENAL (Fusaichi Pegasus) did for Jerry Hollendorfer, pounding this field by 5 1/2 lengths. The Kentucky-bred bay could be absolutely any type and is bred to handle a bit more ground, so it's more than possible that this race was just a sneak peek of what is to come. 8TH -- HIGH COURT DRAMA (Ire) (Theatrical [Ire]) ran down a clear leader in the lane under Kieren Fallon to take his U.S. bow in fine fashion for trainer Doug O' Neill. The four-year-old colt toppled an average field at best, but he did so the right way and deserves consideration in his subsequent outing. A look ahead The $100,000 Hollywood Prevue S. (G3) will be held this Saturday for juveniles, while its female counterpart, the $100,000 Moccasin S., will take place on Sunday.
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