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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK MAY 13, 2010 by John Mucciolo A pair of graded contests took center stage at Hollywood Park. Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2): Jay Em Ess Stable's RAIL TRIP (Jump Start) returned from a lengthy break in fine fashion while posting a facile, 3 1/4-length tally in this one under Rafael Bejarano. The Ron Ellis trainee endured 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 1/5. Railbird S. (G3): Tommy Hutton's Dream Stable's TANDA (Sweetsouthernsaint) streaked to her second straight graded win under a heady ride from jockey Alex Solis. Trained by Dan Hendricks, the swift sophomore miss stopped the teletimer in a sharp 1:21 4/5 for her seven-furlong win while finishing a half-length in front. Track Stats From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the four-day race week, favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 64 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Cushion oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while three of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent). Six of the initial 19 Cushion Track races during the week were won in wire-to-wire fashion, yet none of the remaining 12 main-track tussles were won by the first-call leader. Outside posts (seven and wider) accounted for just five of the 31 wins on the main track this week, with 11 winners breaking from the innermost three post positions. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (5/5) 8TH -- MINSTER D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro) ran a big one from just off the pace to finish a hard-luck second in here, and the sophomore is one to watch for graduation next out. Thursday (5/6) 2ND -- Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) third COST OF FREEDOM (Cee's Tizzy) looked sharp in his first outing since November here for John Sadler, leading at every call in posting a 4 1/2-length romp under Tyler Baze. The talented seven-year-old is clearly among the best sprinters on the West Coast and will be a major force this summer if he stays healthy. 5TH -- HOLLADAY ROAD (Street Cry [Ire]) didn't top the strongest field in here to win his second straight for trainer Carla Gaines, but the five-year-old was clearly best while recording a :23-second final quarter. 7TH -- JUST MAGIC (Five Star Day) chased the winner every step of the way in here in a fine runner-up showing in his first run since last August. Friday (5/7) 1ST -- CIRCLE DRIVE (Came Home) was outrun a bit early but closed with excellent energy to make this one close for conditioner Paco Gonzalez. The sophomore colt should be especially tough at this level next out with a smart break. 4TH -- LOVE THAT MELODY (Storm Cat) put in a fine run to be second in a sharp debut for the high-percentage Kathy Walsh in this one, and we'd imagine the filly will be a winner real soon. Saturday (5/8) 5TH -- SANGAREE (Awesome Again) had no chance with the winner but rallied home to be a clear second over a solid group for trainer Bob Baffert. The improving five-year-old proved his worth at this level and should be considered in similar races at expected good odds. 7TH -- PACIFIC AVENUE (Roman Ruler) made up a ton of ground for trainer Bruce Headley on what appeared to be a fine field of maidens, coming home in :23 and change beneath Mike Smith. The California-bred gelding could have a nice future ahead of him. 8TH -- Import CARRY GULCH (Arg) (Thunder Gulch) took advantage of a slow pace and was never seriously challenged in here in his initial U.S. try for Peter Miller. The five-year-old is obviously one to watch in the stakes ranks in his return. Sunday (5/9) 7TH -- SWITCH (Quiet American) ran a big one in defeat in here for Sadler, outkicking all but the talented winner in a smart runner-up effort. We'd still prefer to see the filly try a bit longer, or run on the grass, this summer as her pedigree suggests. A Look Ahead Saturday's $150,000 Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2) and the $150,000 Milady H. (G2) on Sunday are the features for the upcoming week at Hollywood.
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