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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK JULY 8, 2010 by John Mucciolo The top sophomore grass fillies on the grounds were on display during the past week at Hollywood Park. American Oaks (G1): Marty and Pam Wygod's homebred HARMONIOUS (Dynaformer) remained unbeaten on the turf, as the lightly-raced filly proved best in the lane on this day beneath Martin Garcia. The John Shirreffs pupil stopped the teletimer in 2:01 3/5 for 1 1/4 miles. American H. (G2): L-Bo and Pyle's GLOBAL HUNTER (Arg) (Jade Hunter) ran down a tough pacesetter in the final yards to annex this grass endeavor under the guidance of Brice Blanc. The A.C. Avila charge went nine panels in 1:48 over the firm lawn. Royal Heroine Mile S. (G2): Green Lantern Stable's GOTTA HAVE HER (Royal Academy) closed like a favorite should in this grass test for conditioner Janine Sahadi, mowing down her five foes in the lane to post the tally. The talented six-year-old finished off a mile on the firm sod in 1:34 4/5 under Tyler Baze. Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3): Gem Stable's J P'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal) lived up to his 3-5 billing with a game score in here for trainer David Hofmans. The talented youngster finished off three-quarters on the main oval in 1:10 2/5 with Joe Talamo in the irons. Track Stats From a total of 44 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 36 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 67 percent of the wins. From 30 frays contested on the Cushion oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while four of the 14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (29 percent). A week after just one runner broke from the rail and came out victorious on the main strip, we saw just a trio of winners break from that same inside slot from 30 Cushion races this week. From 30 main-track events, 26 winners left the gate from the innermost six post positions. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (7/1) 6TH -- TAMMY'S LUCK (Bartok [Ire]) made a nice run to be second in here and seems better spotted against this type for Kristin Mulhall. The filly could be a nice check earner when properly placed. 7TH -- Grade 1 heroine CRISP (El Corredor) returned from her East Coast experiment to put forth a positive showing for John Sadler, rallying nicely to be second in this grass tune-up. The sophomore will surely be back in with graded foes before long. Friday (7/2) 5TH -- ISLE OF GIANT'S (Giant's Causeway) made quick work of this group for Ben Cecil to post his second straight win over the Cushion oval with Joel Rosario in the irons. We're not sure what the gelding upended in here, and the final and closing times of this race didn't set any records, but it's hard to argue with a 6 1/4-length win out here by a well-bred runner. 7TH -- Recent Watch runner ENUMCLAW GIRL (Katowice) was thrown into stakes competition in her first try following a claim and ran creditably in fourth for conditioner Mark Glatt. The four-year-old filly should be a tough customer versus slightly lesser. Saturday (7/3) 9TH -- PRECIOUS UNION (Dixie Union) was passed in late stretch but re-rallied in stubborn fashion to get up in this turf dash for Ron Ellis. The mare was very game in her first try of 2010 and should be even tougher in her subsequent voyage. Sunday (7/4) 5TH -- HARD BILL (Chi) (Hardy) didn't show much rust in his first effort in more than 11 months for conditioner Mike Puype, closing well while three wide to post the upset in this dash beneath Talamo. The talented late runner could be a useful black-type performer this summer. YANKEE STATION (Yankee Gentleman) ran nearly as well as the winner off of a similar layoff, falling a head short of the win for Shirreffs. This gelding should be very dangerous in his return. 9TH -- D'PENDABLE (D'wildcat) looked every bit like the expensive two-year-old purchase that he was in controlling this race throughout for trainer Bob Baffert. The debuting juvenile colt could be any type and will likely be heard from in the juvenile stakes this summer. Monday (7/5) 9TH -- The Art Sherman-trained PEDALTOTHEMEDAL (Medallist) fell a nose shy of topping this field at first asking and looms a huge danger with anything close to this in her next affair. A Look Ahead The $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) is the standout race of the early summer and will be held on Saturday. On the Gold Cup undercard, the $250,000 Triple Bend H. (G1) will be held at seven furlongs.
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