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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK MAY 8, 2009 by John Mucciolo A pair of fast-closing fillies took the spotlight at Hollywood Park last week. Wilshire H. (G2): Denes and Woelfel's homebred GORGEOUS GOOSE (Mongoose) ran down Grade 1 miss Diamond Diva (GB) (Dansili [GB]) in the late stages to upset this field for Corey Nakatani. The Mike Puype pupil rated in midpack before streaking home late, completing the one-mile affair in 1:34 2/5. Senorita S. (G3): Bobby Flay's MRS. KIPLING (Ire) (Exceed and Excel) improved on her second-place run in her U.S. debut with a dominating performance in this affair for Neil Drysdale. The talented sophomore filly drilled one-mile over the firm ground in 1:34 2/5 under David Flores. Track Stats From a total of 37 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during opening week, favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, 12 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (46 percent), while three of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent). Speed was excellent on the main oval, especially through Saturday, where 20 main-track contests resulted in 12 winners going wire-to-wire (60 percent). While the word bias comes to mind, it should be noted that this track plays fast and kind to speed types, and many of these winners were favored to do so. Sunday yielded no front-running wins on either surface. The turf is always fair to speed horses and can often carry longshots a long way. In turf sprints, we love early gas. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (4/29) 2ND -- We had word that ROMAN COUNSEL (Roman Ruler) could run prior to his debut, and our information was right on as the juvenile colt just missed for Mike Harrington, who also saddled the winner. We'll play the runner-up back in his return. Friday (5/1) 2ND -- The Doug O' Neill-trained SOUTHERN FIREBALL (Southern Image) stayed on well late in a swiftly run race at first asking, finishing well clear of fourth on this day. This filly could turn out be to a major player in the stakes ranks with improvement. 5TH -- SODA POP KID (Lemon Drop Kid) rallied strongly in the stretch to just miss against a loose on the lead winner in this dash for Gary Sherlock, and the in-form four-year-old fits like a glove at this level. 7TH -- MAUI MARK (Unusual Heat) couldn't have run much better for Howard Zucker, annihilating this useful group with a devastating finish beneath Joel Rosario. The gelded four-year-old would be awfully tough in he can repeat this performance. Saturday (5/2) 4TH -- We're big fans of TRUMPET PLAYER JAY (Orientate) and fully expect the Mark Glatt trainee to have a big year. He rallied well against this solid cast and looks poised for a break out race before long. 6TH -- GALLATIN'S RUN (Alke) finished a nice fourth at first asking in a deep field and should fare better in his return for Mike Puype, who is strong with second-time starters. They don't pay $250,000 for many by his sire, suggesting that there is more in the tank. 8TH -- PATRICIA'S GEM (Mineshaft) rolled to her second straight win for conditioner Richard Mandella, leading at every call in a facile tally. The well-bred miss finished off her final quarter-mile in :23 3/5. Sunday (5/3) 5TH -- MISS PLEASANT (Pleasantly Perfect) showed enough in here to warrant a long look in her second lifetime outing for Mandella, whose animals tend to improve nicely with a start under their belt. 7TH -- The Ron Eliis-trained CANONIZE (Aldebaran) made short work of this field in his second straight top showing, smoking six furlongs in a handy 1:08 4/5. A Look Ahead The $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) on Saturday and Sunday's $100,000 Railbird S. (G3) are the top draws for the upcoming week at Hollywood.
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