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HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK JUNE 19, 2013 by John Mucciolo There was a single Grade 1 affair over the weekend at Hollywood Park. Vanity H. (G1): Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' BYRAMA (Byron) tracked in second behind a clear leader, took the lead in early stretch and rolled home to an impressive 3 1/2-length score in this one under Gary Stevens. The four-year-old filly earned her initial Grade 1 win for John Sadler, running 1 1/8 miles on the main oval in 1:51 2/5. Track Stats From a total of 35 races held at the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 46 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (16 percent), while two horses went all the way on the lead from 11 turf events (18 percent). Of the pair of turf wires on the lawn this past week, one came in a route by a favorite, and the other resulted in a long shot leading throughout in a sprint. Speed was not especially great on the Cushion, but we though the oval played mostly fair with a possible slight edge to late runners who were at least a few paths off the rail. We witnessed a handful of really fine performances this week and we hope to see the same going forward in the final spring/summer meeting at this historic venue. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (6/13) 1ST -- AMAZING HEARTED (Lion Hearted) ran a big one and got up late in defeating what we thought was a very good maiden claiming field today. It took a while for the five-year-old gelding to make his debut, but it looks like the patience was worth it. 8TH – SUANCES LUCK (Suances) cleared the field in a matter of a few jumps and never looked back in dominating this field at overlaid odds. The four-year-old filly is a tough customer when she's on her toes in the early going and we were a bit surprised nobody put a claim in on the lass. Friday (6/14) 2ND -- SOUTH SOUND (Stroll) really looked the part in a facile debut win and the Doug O'Neill pupil will likely be stakes bound following this triumph. The juvenile filly cost a lot and it looks like money well spent, so far. 3RD -- STREETS OF HEAVEN (Street Cry) was last early on but began to pass horses with virtually each stride on the backside and strode home a fine winner once again in here. Trainer Jorge Periban claimed the consistent elder out of this and the gelding should be a factor right back in a similar spot. 4TH -- JOEANDBETTY'SBABY (Yes It's True) had no chance with the winner in this turf dash, but we really liked the way this one rallied to be a nice second today for conditioner Mike Puype. We'll tab this one for a tally next time if placed in a similar spot, or even a small class drop. 6TH -- TOP KISSER (Old Trieste) went slow to the half, accelerated approaching the final turn and stayed on well in what we thought was a powerful tally in here under Rafael Bejarano. The Jerry Hollendorfer continues to impress and will be stakes bound next time out. 7TH -- PAYNTER (Awesome Again) toyed with a decent little field in here in capping an amazing comeback to the races for conditioner Bob Baffert, who did a superb job of having this one ready. The Grade 1 winner, who battled for his life not very long ago, is an inspirational story and easy to root for. Saturday (6/15) 7TH -- GLORIOUS LUCK (Lucky J H) rolled home a most impressive winner at first asking in this turf dash and could evolve into a very nice one for trainer Carla Gaines. 8TH -- KOBE'S BACK (Flatter) surely left some kind of impression in winning his debut in this stakes spot for Sadler. The $480,000 juvenile purchase went last to first in a flash and was pulling away with ease late like a real nice one. We have no idea this colt can be, but we think he might be a potential juvenile star as the season unfolds. Sunday (6/16) 8TH -- Multiple Grade 1 queen INCLUDE ME OUT (Include) made a fine 2013 debut in this spot when defeating a fine field of sprinters in a race that was just used as a prep for a longer race down the road. The five-year-old could be set for a monster second half of this season for conditioner Ron Ellis. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to the Grade 2, $150,000 Hollywood Oaks, the lone graded race this weekend at Hollywood.
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