Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 7, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A pair of graded races headlined the week at Hollywood Park.

Bayakoa H. (G2): D and E Racing's ELLAFITZ took advantage of a lack of

pace by wiring this group beneath Martin Garcia, earning her first stakes

victory in the process. The four-year-old daughter of Tiznow clocked 1 1/16

miles on the Cushion oval in 1:42 3/5 in winning by 3 1/4 lengths for trainer

Bob Baffert.

Native Diver H. (G3): C R K Stable's KETTLE CORN skimmed the rail in

early stretch and wore down the pacesetter en route to his first graded win.

Trained by John Sadler, the Kentucky-bred son of Candy Ride stopped the

teletimer in 1:49 for nine panels under the guidance of Garrett Gomez.

Track Stats

From a total of 34 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the

four-day race week, favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the

cushion oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (44 percent), while two of

the nine grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (22 percent).

Speed on the main oval was good this week, especially on Sunday, with four

horses leading at every call from seven Cushion Track races. It wasn't totally

biased this week, however, with winners coming in all forms and run styles.

The turf oval was not particularly better for any running style, but staying

in the hunt early is still the preferred path to success.

Meet Totals

RACES:		137
CUSHION:		99
TURF:		38
FAVORITES:		57 (42 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		19 (14 percent)
TURF WIRE:		7 (18 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:		26 (26 percent)

 HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (12/1)

4TH -- PERSONALITARY was always ridden like tons the best in this one and the

Jack Carava trainee was in posting a facile 2 1/4-length win under Joel Rosario.

The gelding came home in a solid :31 2/5 for this level, and looms a chance

right back.

5TH -- LUCKARACK exploded in the lane to defeat what we thought was a solid

group from top to bottom in here. The multiple stakes winner also went

unclaimed, much to our surprise, and will be very tough if spotted close to this

level next out.

Friday (12/2)

8TH -- LIL MISS MACKY responded to the layoff in a big way on this occasion,

leading at every call in a powerful, five-length tally for conditioner Mike

Mitchell. The sophomore miss came home in a useful :24 2/5, and could be a

threat debuting with winners in her next outing.

Saturday (12/3)

9TH -- MY SWEET CANDY was a fine second in this one as a short-priced

favorite and the Candy Ride filly should graduate soon for Sadler.

Sunday (12/4)

2ND -- MIZDIRECTION looked the part at 1-5 odds in here in her return, easily

scampering home for trainer Mike Puype. The classy filly deserves a chance at a

Grade 1 run.

6TH -- ALMOST A LADY has run two big ones in succession and should be tough

with a step forward next time for Sadler. The juvenile Our New Recruit filly

made all the running in here in polishing off six furlongs in a solid 1:10.

A Look Ahead

The $250,000, Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet on Saturday is the lone graded race

this weekend at Hollywood Park.