Hollywood Notebook

Trainer Bob Baffert stole the show this weekend at Hollywood

Park.

Hollywood Gold Cup (G1): Donald Dizney's hombred FIRST

DUDE (Stephen Got Even) outgamed a pair of stubborn and talented foes to come

through in this historic race. Trained by Bob Baffert, who saddled the one-two

finishers while winning the Gold Cup for the third time in his Hall of Fame

career, the burly four-year-old got up by a nose in completing 1 1/4 miles on

the Cushion in 2:01 2/5 beneath Martin Garcia.

Swaps S. (G2): Robert Evans' homebred DREAMY KID (Lemon

Drop Kid) waited patiently while close in last to the top of the lane, and came

home with a powerful finish to nail odds-on Coil (Point Given) under Joe Talamo.

The rapidly improving colt won by a head in 1:50 2/5 over nine panels for

conditioner Neil Drysdale.

Track Stats

From a total of 35 races held over the Inglewood racetrack

during the four-day race week, favorites won at a 20 percent clip and the top

two betting choices combined for 51 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested

on the Cushion oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while

three of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent).

We thought runners taking a wide path might have benefited

slightly this week on the main oval, especially on Friday and Saturday, when

horses breaking from the outside posts won eight-of-12 Cushion races.

Of the trio of wire jobs on the turf, two came in the form of

sprint races. Speed is and has been good on this lawn we would say.

There were nearly as many $20+ winning horses this week, a total

of six, in comparison to the seven favorites that cashed in.

Meet Totals

Main Track Post Positions (wins):

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (7/7)

3RD -- RED ALERT DAY (GB) (Diktat) returns to this list

following another sharp performance, taking this one going away late for John

Sadler. The hard-trying six-year-old is versatile and consistent, and he should

not be taken lightly when placed properly.

6TH -- CANDREA (Trippi) is a full to the multiple stakes-winning

Dream of Angles and looked to be of stakes-quality herself following a real

sharp debut victory for Baffert. The juvenile miss was under wraps late and will

be going for a stakes win in her next outing.

8TH -- STUNNINGLY (Full Mandate) made up a good deal of ground

to split a good pair for this level, and the Mike Puype charge makes sense in

her next start with even slight improvement.

Friday (7/8)

7TH -- CAUGHT A FLYER (Skimming) has to be considered a threat

next time after looking a fine foe in the eye in the lane and turning him back

today. The five-year-old gelding should be a decent price being from the small

Dominic Fama barn, too.

Runner-up DANCE WITH GABLE (Dance Floor) seemingly always fires

and will surely be a factor joining the Ted West barn following the claim.

Saturday (7/9)

4TH -- DREAMY KID improved dramatically with the addition of

blinkers and we think he may continue to develop into a very productive horse

this season, on the main and/or turf oval, after this strong tally.

9TH -- ALLEY HONDRO (Skimming) was a bit out of his element

being pretty far back early on this day, but the Ron Ellis trainee made up for a

poor outing last time, inching clear late with Joel Rosario. The gelding has run

well in three of his last four and should be ready for the next step.

Sunday (7/10)

2ND -- GILLIGAN (Grand Reward) was a pretty easy winner once

again for Mike Mitchell and did not get claimed coming out of this race. He'll

be a short price in his next one at something close to this level.

3RD -- AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) should have gotten a lot of his

first run since finishing 11th in the 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) for conditioner

Eoin Harty. The multiple graded winner broke alertly and showed some fight in

the lane while surely needing one. Look for more next time.

9TH -- COAL REGION KID (Medaglia d'Oro) had to settle for a

minor award once again, but the Bob Hess, Jr. charge tried hard while finishing

12 1/4 lengths clear of third. He'll win soon.

A Look Ahead

Sunday marks the closing day of the spring/summer meet here, but

the Inglewood, California, venue goes out in style with a huge weekend before

the action shifts to Del Mar on July 20.

The $250,000 American Oaks (G1) stars on a card that also hosts

the $200,000 A Gleam S. (G2) and a pair of listed events, on Saturday.

Closing day is led by the $100,000 Sunset H. (G3) and $100,000

Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3).