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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK MAY 15, 2009 by John Mucciolo An old-timer stole the spotlight from the previously unbeaten Rail Trip (Jump Start) on Saturday. Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2): Flying Zee Stable's BALL FOUR (Grand Slam) proved that he has plenty of run in those eight-year-old legs with an easy wire-to-wire win beneath Joe Talamo. Reunited with trainer Patrick Biancone prior to this race, the gelding negotiated 1 1/16 miles over the Cushion Track in 1:41 2/5 while never being challenged late by the heavily favored runner-up, Rail Trip. Railbird S. (G3): Claiborne Farm et al's WITTY (Distorted Humor) ran her unbeaten streak to three when gunning down favored Carlsbad (Rocky Bar) in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths for Richard Mandella. Piloted by Victor Espinoza, the sophomore miss endured seven panels on the Cushion Track in a brisk 1:21 3/5. Track Stats From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the week, favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 66 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while three of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent). Speed has been really good on both ovals, with each surface holding a 30 percent rate of wire-to-wire winners. Four of the seven main-track events on Thursday were won all the way on the lead, with only a single winning favorite. As we've stated previously, with the top two betting choices winning at a combined 58 percent through three weeks, it's impossible to say that a strong bias is evident on the Cushion Track. The track simply is conducive to speed types if they like the sand/wax/synthetic fiber mixture. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (5/7) 2ND -- European import RAMYI COYA (Van Nistelrooy) put in a decent late run in the stretch of her U.S. debut for Ben Cecil, and the Group 3 heroine should be much tighter for her next endeavor in the states. 7TH -- SHE'S CHEEKY (Black Minnaloushe) ran a huge one in here Peter Eurton, closing well to beat them all except for a loose on the lead winner on this day. The four-year-old filly seems like a logical play in her next, as she may have needed the race after three months off. Friday (5/8) 4TH -- The Art Sherman-trained SKIPPY DUE (Devil His Due) put forth a dominating effort in this claiming event and warrants a long look in his subsequent try. While the consistent Kentucky-bred often settles for minor awards, he fits real well at this level and is more than capable of winning a few in a row. 7TH -- MR BIG (Dynaformer) hadn't been out since August of 2007 and definitely needed a race for trainer Bob Baffert following the long layoff. The bay earned a 95 BRIS Late Pace rating for his fifth-place showing and should move up with added ground. Saturday (5/9) 2ND -- MEGAHOLTZ (Action This Day) ran into a tough customer on this occasion and settled for the place once again for conditioner Ron Ellis. The gelded sophomore has a lot of ability and might just need a good setup in order to graduate. 9TH -- SAVU (Storm Cat) showed some life late in here for Neil Drysdale in a vastly improved showing from his debut. The well-bred three-year-old could turn out to be a nice one with more experience. Sunday (5/10) 1ST -- We tabbed PAST CURFEW (Decarchy) after his last start, and the three-year-old filly ran a big one in defeat in here, finishing more than six lengths clear of her nearest foe in second. The Mike Puype pupil, who bobbled at the start, is a nice, improving horse who will surely be a threat next out at this level. 4TH – REPO (In Excess [Ire]) was very impressive in her juvenile debut for Doug O' Neill, clearing this field with ease from the 10 hole and drawing off beneath Corey Nakatani. The juvenile filly went 4 1/2 furlongs in a sharp :51 1/5 and will surely be a graded player throughout the summer. A Look Ahead Saturday's $100,000 Los Angeles H. (G3) is the lone graded race this week at Hollywood.
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