Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

MAY 15, 2013

by John Mucciolo

There was a single graded race over the third weekend at Hollywood Park.

Senorita S. (G3): Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' CHARLIE EM (Kheleyf)

tracked the leader in second, took a short lead entering the lane and gamely

held off the odds-on choice late in her U.S. debut. The Paddy Gallagher trainee

went one mile on the firm turf in 1:35 beneath Garrett Gomez.

Track Stats

From a total of 34 races held at the Inglewood, California, racetrack during

the past week, favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the

Cushion Track oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (55 percent), while

five horses went all the way on the lead from 14 turf events (36 percent).

Speed was good on both ovals, especially the Cushion Track, with 11 horses

leading all the way on the lead. From Thursday through Saturday, 10 of the 15

main-track races were taken in wire-to-wire fashion.

The turf was also kinder to speed players then it has been, and this lawn has

historically been fair to horses with pace. Three of the turf wire jobs came in

sprint races.

In seems worthy of note through three weeks now that 65 of the 74 main-track

winners broke from posts 1-through-6. This week just a pair of horses won from

outer post slots from 20 runs on the Cushion.

Meet Totals

RACES:		105
CUSHION:		74
TURF:		31
FAVORITES:		32 (30 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		28 (27 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (16 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:		25 (34 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (5/9)

4TH -- STREET ICON (Street Boss) looked the part with a game tally at first

asking in this one, in a field that we thought had a ton of promise. The John

Sadler pupil is bred to handle more ground and thrive on the green, so we expect

to hear a lot more from the juvenile colt.

GELDAUTOMAT (Fusaichi Pegasus) was clear in second for nearly the duration

and should be sitting on a win next time for trainer Kristin Mulhall.

6TH -- The Mike Puype-trained KILAT (Perfect Mandate) left this field in his

wake late while speeding six panels on the firm turf in a speedy 1:08! The

gelding was as sharp as he's ever been and would be real tough to stop in his

return with something resembling this effort.

Friday (5/10)

7TH -- HALF STRIKE (Smart Strike) has really turned the corner for

conditioner Richard Mandella and passed through another claiming level with a

convincing tally. The four-year-old former claimer is versatile and couldn't be

doing much better than he is right now.

8TH -- AMBITIOUS BREW (Tizbud) put in a strong late kick to finish second

while well clear of third in his debut and the sophomore gelding will be an

obvious player in his second try for conditioner Marty Jones.

Saturday (5/11)

2ND -- The well-bred PIRATE'S PLEASURE (Mizzen Mast) made us look smart in

this spot by leading every step of the way for trainer Paddy Gallagher. The

second timer showed nice improvement off of his even debut and came home well

here while never allowing his foes to catch him beneath David Flores.

3RD -- BROADWAY EMPIRE (Empire Maker) was never getting to the winner in this

race, but the twice-raced sophomore proved his debut win at Turf Paradise was no

fluke following this good try. The Robertino Diodoro pupil could have a bright

future with steady improvement.

Sunday (5/12)

7TH -- DHAAMER (Dubai Destination) looked like his old self in this spot,

drawing off to a facile 2 1/4-length tally. The Mike Mitchell trainee has a lot

of ability and could be among the top marathon runners on this circuit this

season.

A Look Ahead

The Grade 2, $150,000 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap on Saturday is the lone

graded race this weekend at Hollywood Park.