Hollywood Notebook

A trio of graded races took place at Hollywood over the weekend.

Whittingham Memorial S. (G1): Hilvers and Johnston's

ACCLAMATION (Unusual Heat) repeated in this race with another wire-to-wire

conquer for conditioner Donald Warren. The five-year-old California-bred got 1

1/4 miles on the firm lawn in 2:00 with Joe Talamo aboard.

Honeymoon H. (G2): Joan Hadley Thoroughbreds' homebred

SARAH'S SECRET (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) led at every call en route to remaining

unbeaten for trainer Kathy Walsh. The sophomore Kentucky-bred went nine panels

on the lawn in 1:50 with Rafael Bejarano in the irons.

Affirmed H. (G3): Pegram et al's COIL (Point Given) ran

off to his third straight tally in bagging his stakes debut on this day for

trainer Bob Baffert. The talented sophomore was making his first start around

two turns and wound up one-length clear at the wire, clocking 1 1/16 miles in

1:42 4/5 beneath Martin Garcia.

Track Stats

From a total of 36 races held over the Inglewood racetrack

during the four-day race week, favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top

two betting choices combined for 69 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested

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

six of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (50 percent).

This marks three consecutive weeks of turf runners prospering by

leading out of the gate, as HALF of the grassy races contested resulted in wire

jobs. It's time to include every potential early leader on the grass in your

selections.

Most of the wire-to-wire winners on the Cushion came in the form

of sprint races, and we still like pace pressers and stalkers in route events on

the main strip.

Meet Totals

Main Track Post Positions (wins):

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (6/9)

2ND -- CHILOQUIN (Tribal Rule) put in a solid effort to finish

second in here at a distance much shorter than his best for Scott Hansen. The

California-bred gelding should be tough in his subsequent outing.

Friday (6/10)

2ND -- Trainer Peter Miller could have claimed a good one in

STAYCLASSYSANDIEGO (Rockport Harbor), who dominated this group at first asking

in this dash. The juvenile filly should be very live if opting to face starter

foes in her return.

5TH -- VIA VERDE (Cherokee Run), who was a decent second in this

one, was re-claimed by John Sadler and has a useful future against this type on

the lawn.

6TH -- TRES BORRACHOS (Ecton Park) was a fast-closing third in

his first start of 2011 and could have a nice season for trainer Marty Jones.

The Grade 1-placed six-year-old will benefit from more ground to work with next

time.

Saturday (6/11)

2ND -- WALL STREET WONDER (City Place) took advantage of a key

scratch to take this field all the way on the front for Baffert. The speedster

was bought back for just $18,000 at Fasig Tipton in February and seems like a

heck of a bargain.

5TH -- The Sadler-trained A TOAST TO YOU (Tribal Rule) put in a

most professional debut run in this one, tracking the early pace before edging

clear late in a smart showing under Tyler Baze.

Sunday (6/12)

1ST -- MAJESTIC CITY (City Zip) crushed his rivals and has

waltzed in two career starts to begin her career for conditioner Peter Miller.

The brilliant juvenile colt should be stepping up to the graded ranks soon.

7TH -- BAUBLE QUEEN (Arch) looked the favorite in the eye in the

lane and powered home a most convincing, 5 1/4-length winner under Bejarano. The

sophomore filly is an obvious contender in her debut versus winners next time.

A Look Ahead

The $250,000 Vanity H. (G1) on Saturday is the highlight of the

upcoming week at Hollywood.