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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK JUNE 2, 2010 by John Mucciolo California's top turf distaffer made the grade at Hollywood Park over the Holiday Weekend. Gamely S. (G1): William DeBurgh's TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]), the top female turf horse in the Golden State, finally got her much deserved Grade 1 win with a game tally in this affair beneath Rafael Bejarano. The exquisite five-year-old finished off nine grassy panels in 1:47 1/5 for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. Shoemaker Mile S. (G1): Equilete Stable's VICTOR'S CRY (Street Cry [Ire]) came outside in midstretch and closed with a rush under Corey Nakatani to upset this field for conditioner Eoin Harty. The five-year-old smoked one mile on the firm lawn in 1:32 4/5 in posting his first graded win. Honeymoon H. (G2): Tom and Marilyn Braly's Grade 1 heroine EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) made good in her turf debut, just holding on late for trainer Jim Cassidy and jockey Victor Espinoza. The standout sophomore filly endured nine furlongs on the firm oval in 1:48 4/5 to notch her second graded win. Track Stats From a total of 45 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 60 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the Cushion oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (38 percent), while three of the 16 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (19 percent). Speed on the main oval was most prevalent on Friday, with four winners leading at every call from six Cushion Track races. It was on that day, also, when 67 percent of the winners broke from the innermost three post positions. With the exception of Friday, we saw a very fair oval, with horses running well from all over the main strip. The turf course is especially firm and tends to yield some fast times, as well as aid some front runners in their search of victory. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (5/27) 5TH -- Turf sprint specialist CAYAMBE (Helmsman) roared home late in a fine effort for trainer Victor Garcia, winning this one going away beneath Joel Rosario. The gelded six-year-old got his final quarter-mile in a solid :23 2/5. Friday (5/28) 2ND -- Stakes performer CARDIFF GIANT (Yankee Gentleman) was dropped in for a $40,000 tag and got claimed out of this one after a close second. He'll now go to the barn of Jeffrey Metz and the sophomore appears to have some run left in him; shouldn't be dismissed in future tries. 3RD -- PLATINUM MINE (Memo [Chi]) put forth a nice run in her debut for trainer Ral Ayers, beating all but one in this turf dash. The filly will be an obvious threat in her return. Saturday (5/29) 5TH -- The Jenine Sahadi-trained BATTLE SCHOOL (Military) has finished second in two straight races and should break through with a win quite soon in his current form. The gelding finished off his final two panels in a snappy :23. 8TH -- TWIRLING CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) took advantage of a fast tempo and annihilated this field for John Sadler, drawing off by a commanding 7 3/4 lengths with Rajiv Maragh in the irons. The sophomore colt is thriving right now and should be stakes bound. 9TH -- WELL MONIED (Maria's Mon) closed well from last in her second start of the season and should move forward with a slight class drop in her subsequent showing. Monday (5/31) 5TH -- CELTIC CHARMER (Castledale [Ire]) didn't find her best stride until too late in here and looks like she would appreciate added ground for trainer Craig Dollase. 6TH -- MAJOR SMOKE (Birdonthewire) seemed to have liked the cut back in trip on this day when rallying boldly from last to be a clear second for Paul Aguirre. Claimed out of this by Jack Carava, the gelded five-year-old completed his final three-sixteenths in a swift :17 1/5. 7TH -- MEGASTAR (Malibu Moon) seemingly waited for company once making the lead in the stretch and the improving four-year-old seemingly found another gear when challenged in the latter stages. We'll keep a close eye on the gelding, as he could be a nice one. A look ahead Saturday plays host to a pair of graded events: the $250,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial S. (G1) and $100,000 Los Angeles H. (G3), while the $150,000 Hollywood Oaks (G2) is the marquee affair on Sunday.
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