Hollywood Notebook
HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK
JULY 4, 2007
by John Mucciolo
A trio of graded stakes events were on display at Hollywood Park over the
past week, which featured three of the top horses on the grounds in action. In
addition to black-type frays, a four-day Pick 6 carryover resulted in a
world-record $10,870,752.48 pool into Monday's card.
Hollywood Gold Cup (G1): STD Racing and Wood's LAVA MAN (Slew City
Slew) added to his living-legend status with a courageous nose win in this
historic event for conditioner Doug O'Neill. The Cal-bred six-year-old looked
beaten in the final furlong but somehow found just enough to eke out the win
under Corey Nakatani. The incredible gelding went 1 1/4 miles in 2:03 1/5.
Beverley Hills H. (G2): Stronach Stable's homebred CITRONNADE (Lemon
Drop Kid) continues to breeze through the turf distaff division on the West
Coast with another facile score in here. The Bobby Frankel charge, who was
hammered to 1-5 favoritism, led at every call to earn her fourth consecutive
graded score. Piloted by David Flores, the awesome filly went 1 1/4 miles in
2:01 2/5 under light urging.
American Invitational H. (G2): Stud TNT's homebred OUT OF CONTROL
(Brz) (Vettori) traveled wide throughout and valiantly caught The Tin Man
(Affirmed) near the wire to take this grass fray for Frankel. Always in good
position while wide, the four-year-old colt got a head clear under the line to
earn the Grade 2 score, getting nine furlongs on the firm turf in a sharp 1:46
4/5 under Mike Baze.
Korbel H.: La Canada Stables' EPIC POWER (Epic Honor) closed strongly
through the lane to earn the win in this one beneath Nakatani. The six-year-old
gelding went one mile over the firm turf in 1:35 1/5 for trainer Jack Carava.
Captain Squire H.: Curt and Lila Lanning's ZONING IN (Bertrando) led
every step of the way, but had to hold on late in taking this one for Ed Moger
Jr. The gelded sophomore went six grassy panels in 1:08 4/5 under Victor
Espinoza to hold off the closing Noble Court (Doneraile Court).
Landaluce S.: Bill Feeley's homebred THE GOLDEN NOODLE (D'wildcat)
found a good time to earn her first career win with a 3 1/2-length rout of her
eight foes in here. Conditioned by Jack Van Berg and piloted by Clinton Potts,
the juvenile miss rated well off the pace early before unleashing her closing
kick, getting six furlongs on the Cushion in 1:11 2/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 52 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack,
favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for
48 percent of the wins during the week. From 40 frays contested on the Cushion
Track, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while just four of
the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (33 percent).
Meet totals through week 10:
| RACES: | 456 | |
| DIRT: | 340 | |
| TURF: | 116 | |
| FAVORITES: | 155 (34 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 99 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 17 (15 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 67 (20 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH:
Wednesday (6/27)
3RD – HIGH INTELLECT (Benchmark) made a good account of himself with a game
debut win for trainer Craig Lewis. The freshman colt dueled for the entirety of
the 5 1/2 furlongs with a more seasoned runner and came out a winner, recording
an 86 BRIS Speed number in the process.
Thursday (6/28)
7TH – SURE SPEED (Boulder Dam) opened up a clear lead in the lane but missed
by a nose, in what was a strong effort for the Rafael Becerra trainee. The
three-year-old miss has improved her Speed numbers in all three lifetime tries
and should be plenty tough in her next effort. The sophomore miss scored a 90
Speed figure.
Friday (6/29)
1ST– Noble Court was a game runner-up in here, making his first
start off the shelf for John Sadler. The three-year-old colt, who was making his
turf debut as well, ran gamely through the stretch and should appreciate added
ground in the future. The Grade 2 victor earned a 92 Speed number.
Saturday (6/30)
5TH – Out of Control gave up ground for the entirety of this race and still
surged gamely on the wire in his impressive tally. The improving four-year-old
has captured three of his five stateside starts in 2007, and we're banking that
the colt's win was not a fluke. The winner received a 96 Speed figure.
Sunday (7/01)
1ST – CRY AND CATCH ME (Street Cry [Ire]) had no chance with the talented
winner but finished well clear in second under Mike Smith. The sharp debuter
will surely be especially tough in start number two with anything resembling
this try. The Craig Dollase pupil scored a solid 90 Speed number.
A look ahead
A fantastic stakes week lies ahead of us at Hollywood, including a pair of
graded events on Friday evening under the lights: $1 million CashCall Mile
Invitational S. (G2) and the $150,000 A Gleam Invitational H. (G2), as well as
the listed Flawlessly S. for three-year-old fillies on the green.
Saturday's showcase events are the $750,000 American Oaks Invitational S.
(G1), $300,000 Vanity H. (G1) and the Triple Bend H. (G1). The $75,000 Robert K.
Kerlan Memorial H. will be run on Sunday.
Authors
Categories
FEATURED PRODUCTS
Daily Selections
Full racecard analysis/expert picks for major tracks from America's top handicappers.
Buy Nowe-ponies Picks
E-Ponies computer-based figures have been around since 1997. Using an algorithm written by the business owner and handicapper, Liam Durbin, and powered by BRIS data files, E-Ponies offers a unique, fact-based, dispassionate analysis of every horse in every race, assigning scores for speed, class, form, connections, and more. Forget which jockey owes you money! What does the data say!
Buy NowBruno With the Works
Bruno De Julio & team bring 30+ yrs experience observing racehorses to Brisnet with valuable insight into their morning routines & chances for success in the afternoons.
Buy NowValue Plays AI by Predicteform
Full race card program with easy-to-use win chances and contender classifications for every runner plus analysis of the Best Bet, Live Longshot, and Wagering Suggestions for every race.
Buy NowADVERTISEMENT