Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

MAY 16, 2008

by John Mucciolo

A quartet of graded stakes headlined the week at Hollywood Park.

Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2): Indiguyz Stable's ON THE ACORN (GB)

(Inchinor [GB]) successfully defended his crown in here with a game performance

for conditioner Mike Mitchell. The gelding was last early but picked up momentum

approaching the final turn and got up by a nose beneath Brice Blanc. The

seven-year-old finished off 12 furlongs on the lawn in 2:27 1/5.

Los Angeles H. (G3): Headley et al's STREET BOSS (Street Cry [Ire])

overcame a troubled start to exude his class in the latter stages, driving home

a powerful winner for Bruce Headley. The surging four-year-old earned his third

straight win in scorching home in a stakes-record 1:07 2/5 for three-quarters of

a mile. David Flores was aboard the talented colt.

Senorita S. (G3): Lanzman and Wood's SWEETER STILL (Ire) (Rock of

Gibraltar [Ire]) took the lead in early stretch and bravely held off Magical

Fantasy (Diesis [GB]) in capturing this affair for trainer Jeff Mullins. The

three-year-old filly, who was piloted by Martin Garcia, traveled one mile on the

firm sod in 1:35 3/5 to bag her first graded win.

Railbird S. (G3): Everest Stables' homebred MILLION DOLLAR RUN (Tejano

Run) showed excellent early speed, dispatched of the pacesetter turning for

home, and drew off to a convincing, 2 1/4-length win for trainer Marcelo Polanco.

The three-year-old filly, who was a neck second in a maiden event in her lone

start entering this affair, sped seven panels on the main surface in sharp 1:20

3/5, nearly shattering the track record under Joel Rosario.

Track Stats

From a total of 43 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack

during the week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 60 percent of the wins. From 30 frays contested on the

Cushion Track, just three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (10 percent),

while two of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent).

Favorites were dominant during the early half of the week, with the top

betting choice accounting for 14 wins in 24 events. We didn't witness many

wire-to-wire winners in the past week, but numerous first-place finishers were

involved early with many stalking just off the early pace. The turf course looks

like it has been playing more than fair, thus far. A capable horse could win

from anywhere on either surface.

Meet Totals

RACES:		131
DIRT:		92
TURF:		39
FAVORITES:		47 (36 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		28 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:		7 (18 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		16 (17 percent)

Post Positions (wins)

RAIL:		22 (17 percent)
1-3:		55 (42 percent)
4-6:		39 (30 percent)
7-out:		37 (28 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/7)

5TH - TROPIC STORM (Stormy Atlantic) is a nice race horse and showed some

staying power in taking this event for Craig Dollase. The fleet four-year-old

rated kindly and kicked out strongly to the wire, finishing just two ticks off

the track record at the trip.

We like the winner, and we also have a liking for runner-up ALL MAN

(Petionville). The Julio Canani charge has improved steadily since arriving in

the Golden State and put a pretty good scare into the winner in midstretch.

Thursday (5/8)

5TH - SHORE DO (Include) reversed his form in a big way with a two-length

romp in here for Brian Koriner. The talented sophomore might round back into his

juvenile form following a chaotic six-month period.

7TH - HONORED GOLD (Double Honor) made a big run at the early leader and fell

just short in a solid runner-up effort. The Mike Mitchell trainee could

certainly build on this and close the deal in his subsequent outing.

Friday (5/9)

2ND - We touted BAHAMA MAMA (Ire) (Invincible Spirit) following her initial

U.S. try, and she made us look good with a fairly easy front-running score in

here. The James Cassidy pupil should be viewed as a serious runner, and we're

curious to know if she can handle a mile. She'd be worth a play at any price in

her next.

7TH - We're real glad to see MAJOR PLEASURE (Officer) showing glimpses of the

horse who began his career with a pair of impressive efforts. The Mike Puype

pupil has a world of talent and proved again that he's not afraid to run in

traffic.

Saturday (5/10)

5TH - Stonerside homebred TYBALT (Storm Cat) could not have been more

impressive for a first-time U.S. starter. The Bobby Frankel charge got into the

race early, rated beautifully to the lane, and displayed a nice closing kick

under Ramon Dominguez. The sky appears to be the limit for the four-year-old.

6TH - Lost in the midst of the fallen runners was the fact that PRIVATE

QUATERS (Devil's Bag) rallied like a shot along the rail in the closing stages

for Koriner. The debuter galloped out strongly and will be one we'll likely hear

of before long, even if she is a five-year-old.

Sunday (5/11)

8TH - Million Dollar Run was no fluke in here as she crushed this field for

Polanco. The sophomore miss will be a presence all summer.

A Look Ahead

A pair of graded events for sophomores headlines the upcoming week at

Hollywood Park. The Saturday feature is the grassy, $100,000 Will Rogers S. (G3)

at one mile on the lawn.

The top attraction on Sunday is the seven-furlong, $100,000 Lazaro S. Barrera

Memorial S. (G3) on the main oval.