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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK MAY 1, 2013 by John Mucciolo There was a single graded race over the opening weekend at Hollywood Park. Wilshire H. (G3): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al's HALO DOLLY (Popular) pressed the pace, took the lead in early stretch and stayed on to post a 1 1/2-length score for the red-hot barn of Jerry Hollendorfer. The five-year-old mare, who was ridden by Rafael Bejarano, endured a mile on the firm turf in 1:34. Track Stats From a total of 35 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 27 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while no horses went all the way on the lead from eight turf events. While the turf didn't produce any wire-to-wire winners, at least half of the winners did track the pace while close up in second early, so we clearly would not assume that the turf favors closers. Those statistics will change sooner than later, as they often do at this venue. We honestly didn't have a great feel of this main oval coming off the Santa Anita dirt meeting. Early on opening day speed was pretty good, but as the week progressed, we saw winners from all over the place and consider this analysis to be a work in progress. In seems worthy of note that 25 of the 27 main-track winners broke from posts 1-6. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (4/25) 6TH -- R S WATSON (Zanjero) led throughout and was never getting passed the way we saw it. The Adam Kitchingman trainee faced a serious danger in early stretch but kept that one at bay in a fine tally. Tab this one as a contender in his debut with winners. 7TH -- The lightly raced SUMMER EXCLUSIVE (Exclusive Quality) was all heart in his turf debut in running down a clear leader who wasn't stopping at all in the stretch. Trained by Peter Miller, the sophomore colt could be a fine one-turn horse with expected improvement from experience. Friday (4/26) 2ND -- CALIFORNIA CHROME (Lucky Pulpit) ran a big second in this one for a trainer who almost never wins with first time starters, so we'll keep a close eye on this colt in his second outing. 5TH -- MASTER CHEF (Vronsky) showed a lot of resiliency in battling back after being head in the lane in his first off the re-claim for Hollendorfer. The six-year-old gelding loves this main oval and is always a player when properly placed at this venue. 7TH -- AIN (Aldebaran) made the classy, short-priced favorite work hard late and nearly ran that one down in a fine showing under Joe Talamo when a close second under the wire. The Carla Gaines pupil might have found his niche at longer trips on the turf. Saturday (4/27) 5TH – ROCK ME BABY (Rock Hard Ten) ran a big one after leading nearly all the way, ultimately finishing second in a strong field. The Craig Dollase trainee started his career in a maiden claiming event, and we're pretty sure he won't be in for a tag for some time. 6TH -- We liked SUPER ABILITY (Langfuhr) a lot coming into this one and the Gaines pupil did not disappoint with a wire-to-wire score in sharp fashion. It took a while for the five-year-old to get a few races under his belt, but now that he has, we see why these connections were so patient with him. Sunday (4/28) 7TH -- TIZ MOLLY (Tiz Wonderful) showed a bit more early foot and closed powerfully in the lane to remain unbeaten in two tries for Eric Kruljac. The sophomore filly is surely of stakes quality and should be facing that type in the near future. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to the Grade 2, $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at Hollywood Park.
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