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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK June 23, 2010 by John Mucciolo Sophomores were in the spotlight during the past week at Hollywood Park. Affirmed H. (G3): Jay Em Ess Stable's GOLDEN ITIZ (Tiznow) made the jump to stakes ranks with relative ease for trainer Ron Ellis, taking over inside the final furlong to post a measured, half-length win under Tyler Baze. The rising sophomore star finished off 1 1/16-miles in 1:42 4/5. Will Rogers S. (G3): Ellenay Racing's homebred LEROY'S DYNAMEAUX (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) surged home with fine acceleration to nip the favorite at the wire in taking this grass test under the guidance of Joel Rosario. The Golden Gate import sped 1 1/16 grassy miles in a smart 1:40 2/5 for trainer Mark Glatt. Track Stats: From a total of 34 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the four-day (racing was canceled Thursday) race week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 50 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the Cushion oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while three of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (25 percent). Not a single horse won from a post wider than six prior to the last race of the week, but small fields surely had much to do with that fact. Speed on the main oval was best on Sunday, with three winners leading at every call from six Cushion races. Meet Totals:
HORSES TO WATCH: Wednesday (6/16) 2ND -- MOONSTRUCK MAYA (Malibu Moon) was heavily backed in her debut and delivered for trainer Carla Gaines, running down a clear leader en route to an impressive win on this day. The intriguing prospect should be live next out. 6TH -- The Bob Baffert-trained RAPPORT (Songandaprayer) has run two big ones in succession and gives the impression of a being a serious player in the filly ranks throughout the summer. The speedy three-year-old dismantled a solid group in here with a fast final time. Friday (6/18) 7TH -- MIGUEL'S MASCOT (Marino Marini) hadn't raced since May of 2009, so taking the lead in the lane and finishing a close third in here must be viewed as a positive for conditioner Eric Kruljac. The gelded four-year-old should be a factor in his next and especially the one following that. Saturday (6/19) 3RD -- Blinkers didn't get ROYAL F J (Royal Academy) over the hump in here as the three-year-old registered yet another second-place finish, so we don't know what to say. The gelding obviously has ability and has been unlucky to run into a few good ones, but all of the minor awards he's been accruing are getting too habitual for us. 7TH -- SURFER GIRL (Brz) (Wild Event) didn't move up with the added ground as we thought she might, and this marks another talented horse that we're not sure will get over a hump anytime soon. The talented mare seems to be a bit of an enigma. Sunday (6/20) 7TH -- GRAY ZULU (Amaruk) showed a lot of heart in holding off a foe for virtually the entire stretch in this one for conditioner Peter Eurton, posting his second consecutive tally in the process. We'll keep an eye on the gelding, who might be able to handle a bit more ground. 9TH -- We're not sure what REALLY ELEGANT (Cutlass Reality) ran against in this one, but the debuting four-year-old came close to pulling off a huge upset in this dash for conditioner Richard Rosales. The runner-up also spotted the winner seven pounds and broke from the widest post. A Look Ahead Saturday's feature is the $100,000 Beverly Hills H. (G3), the lone graded race of the upcoming weekend.
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