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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK JULY 2, 2010 by John Mucciolo A single graded event took place during the past week at Hollywood Park. Beverly Hills H. (G3): Michael Tabor's TURNING TOP (Ire) (Pivotal [GB]) inched clear in the final stages to earn her first graded win in the United States for conditioner Simon Callaghan. The well-bred four-year-old went 1 1/4 miles on the firm sod in 2:01 3/5 under Brice Blanc. Track Stats From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 43 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 69 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the Cushion oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while three of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (23 percent). Only one horse that broke from the rail won on the main oval from 29 contests, and we're not exactly sure what to make of that. It is interesting to say the least. A week following inside posts winning a ton of races, the ledger is much more balanced this week with winners breaking from nearly every post. The turf course continues to be a consistent surface with first-placers winning from on, just off or well back of the lead. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (6/24) 5TH -- ENUMCLAW GIRL (Katowice) powered past this field with ease for conditioner Doug O' Neill, drawing off by 4 1/4 lengths beneath Rafael Bejarano while finishing off six, grassy furlongs in a sharp time. The five-year-old mare could turn out to be an excellent claim by trainer Mark Glatt. 7TH -- Conditioner Mike Mitchell has a good one in AMINA (Bertrando), as the California-bred reeled off her second straight in fine fashion. The four-year-old filly looks to be of stakes quality and should be in a black-type race before long. Friday (6/25) 2ND -- INTUITIVE NATURE (Vronsky) made a nice run at a clear leader, but he could do no better than a clear second in this turf dash. The Donald Warren pupil won't be a maiden for long after another strong run. 4TH -- DOLRDOLRBILLYALL (Malek [Chi]) proved that the hefty drop in class was all that was needed for him to put his best foot forward for conditioner Peter Miller. A pair of runners were claimed out of here, but he gelded four-year-old was not one of them -- which surprised us. We're fairly certain that the connections are happy about that. Saturday (6/26) 3RD -- QUIET ASSAULT (Quiet American) was a good-looking winner at first asking for Jerry Hollendorfer in here, and we think that this colt is a very intriguing prospect. Bred to handle more distance, the bay was in this one from the outset and could be any type. 7TH -- Trainer Bob Baffert has unveiled a bunch of first-out winners at the meeting, but not many have been as impressive as CAPITAL ACCOUNT (Closing Argument), who destroyed this field in a solid time. The sophomore colt, who was well-backed at the windows, didn't upend the deepest field ever but won in a manner that suggests he could be very nice. Sunday (6/27) 2ND -- WICKEDLY PERFECT (Congrats) was clearly ready for her debut, as the two-year-old miss rolled home a convincing, 4 3/4-length victress in here under Rafael Bejarano. The O' Neill sharpie is obviously one to watch in the stakes ranks this summer. 5TH -- THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) looked like he needed this allowance tune-up and should be better in his next few tries for James Cassidy. The high-quality gelding, who was making his first start since his big run in Dubai, is among the top turf runners in the nation. 9TH -- NOT HERE (Gone West) made a nice late run to cut the margin by the winner late, and the sophomore should break through with a win quite soon for trainer Gary Mandella. A Look Ahead The $250,000 American Oaks (G1) is the top draw over the Holiday weekend at Hollywood Park. The Saturday headliner is joined by the $150,000 Royal Heroine Mile S. (G2). Sunday plays host to the $150,000 American H. (G2).
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