Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 12, 2008

by John Mucciolo

A trio of graded events took the spotlight at Hollywood Park over the

weekend.

Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1): Juddmonte Farms' homebred CHAMPS ELYSEES

(GB) (Danehill) took command in early stretch and held off a spirited run from

longshot Obrigado (Fr) (Enrique) to bag this one for Bobby Frankel. The

blue-blooded five-year-old was guided home with perfection by Jose Valdivia Jr.,

finishing off the 1 1/2 miles over the firm turf in 2:27 3/5.

Bayakoa H. (G2): David and Holly Wilson's BRIECAT (Adcat) took the

lead soon after the start and repelled a stern test from the favored Model (Giant's

Causeway) to upset this field under Jon Court. The speedy sophomore filly

equaled the track mark for 1 1/16 miles in 1:40 1/5 for Vladimir Cerin.

Native Diver H. (G3): Joseph Lacombe's homebred SLEW'S TIZZY (Tiznow)

inched clear in the lane to post a mild upset in here for Doug O' Neill,

completing nine panels on the Cushion in a new track record 1:46 3/5. The

four-year-old colt was ridden by Joel Rosario, one of his five tallies on the

day.

Track Stats

From a total of 42 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the week,

favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for

52 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on the main oval, nine animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while five of the 16 grassy tussles

went all the way on the lead (31 percent).

Speed played a big part over both the main and turf ovals for the second

consecutive week, combining for 14 wins from 42 events. It appeared

especially good on Wednesday, with nearly every Cushion winner attending the

early action. The times on the main oval were borderline ridiculous, with

cheaper claimers driving home in 1:09 or less in a few sprint races.

While there have been numerous small fields, it's definitely worth note that

only six horses breaking from posts 7 and wider won during the week. Saving

ground here is infinitely more important than doing so in Arcadia, and it could

be a good angle to take trip notes of horses going wide here and playing them

back at Santa Anita.

The turf course has been comprised of many small fields, and lone speed types

won a few of those grassy events. Closers still have a chance on the green,

which could use a few days of irrigation.

Meet Totals

RACES:		258
CUSHION TRACK:		188
TURF:		70
FAVORITES:		79 (30 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		48 (18 percent)
TURF WIRE:		18 (26 percent)
CUSHION TRACK WIRE:		54 (29 percent)

Post Positions (wins)

RAIL:		39
1-3:		112
4-6:		102
7-out:		44

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (12/3)

3RD -- The Brian Koriner-trained THUNDER AND ICE (Wised Up) absolutely ran

this field off their feet in polishing off 6 1/2 panels in a sparkling 1:14 3/5,

a rapid time for a lower level claiming filly. Expect this one to rise in class

and be a big factor with something close to this.

7TH -- KAYD KODAUN (Ire) (Traditionally) followed up a win with a fine

closing effort while a good third in here for Paddy Gallagher. The import

recorded a final quarter-mile in 22:1/5 and appears to have a very nice future.

Thursday (12/4)

5TH -- BILLIONARIE BOB (Snuck In) put in a huge effort at big odds for Paul

Aguirre and should fare a touch better versus lesser next out. The juvenile took

on a few nice prospects in this dash and held up well while disputing useful

fractions.

6TH -- Expect a big effort next out from DRAKE LAKE (In Excess [Ire]), who

finished a clear fourth in his debut for John Sadler. The sophomore faced a

decent group on this day and should move forward off of this showing.

7TH -- NORTH FORK (Comic Strip) had some trouble and no pace to run at --

expect vast improvement in his second turf try for Ben Cecil.

8TH -- SWISS BLONDE (Swiss Yodeler) didn't have the smoothest of trips and

still drew off late in a much-the-best performance for Mike Harrington. The

second-time starter is a must use in her return.

Friday (12/5)

4TH -- LAVENDER TOUCH (Touch Gold) was well-backed in her debut and showed

why, with a strong closing run for Jeff Mullins. The sophomore miss is a big

threat in her subsequent run.

7TH -- VALID MECKE (Mecke) returned from a lengthy layoff with a fine late

rush for Mike Mitchell, finishing a good second behind a loose on the lead

winner. The gelding completed his final quarter-mile in a rapid :21 3/5.

Saturday (12/6)

4TH -- We expect big things from POSTION A (Aldebaran), who led at every call

and gamely held off a well-meant challenger for Richard Mandella. The

two-year-old colt is bred to run long, and we'll be sure to play him on the

stretch out; you should do the same.

TEVEZ THE TIGER (Cuvee) showed nice improvement from his debut and appears to

be sitting on a win for Eoin Harty. The colt barely gave an inch and didn't deserve

to lose.

SURPRISE MINISTER (Pulpit) is the third from what we expect to be a very key

race going forward after missing second by just a length. The Jennie Christine

Green debuter should offer decent value in his second try.

9TH -- DEVIVE (Out of Place) was tons the best in here and seems likely to be

a big factor in his return for Bob Hess Jr. The four-year-old gelding overcame

a wide post and some traffic to dust this field in the lane under Joel Rosario.

Sunday (12/7)

4TH -- We liked LIFE BY R R (Domestic Dispute) on paper, and we were rewarded

with a dominant effort at a decent price by the Dan Hendricks trainee. The

juvenile miss came home fast, while speeding clear in the early going, and there

is no telling exactly how good she is or can be.

8TH -- We don't think that Briecat was a fluke in here, as all of her foes

ran their race and they were still no match for the Cerin pupil. She

should not be taken lightly in the future, especially when she appears to have

an early speed edge.

A Look Ahead

The lone graded event in the upcoming weekend is the $429,500 Hollywood

Starlet S. (G1) for two-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles.