Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

MAY 19, 2010

by John Mucciolo

A pair of Grade 2 contests took the spotlight at Hollywood Park.

Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2): E.W. and Judy Johnston's ACCLAMATION

(Unusual Heat) was left alone on the lead and was never threatened en route to a

facile, 7 1/2-length romp under Christian Santiago Reyes. The four-year-old

colt, who is trained by Donald Warren, strode 1 1/2-miles on the lawn in 2:26

2/5.

Milady H. (G2): L-Bo Racing and Michael Lamb's MADE FOR MAGIC (Cape

Canaveral) took the lead past the eighth pole and inched clear to a half-length

in this one beneath Omar Berrio. The former claimer went 1 1/16-miles in 1:43

2/5 for conditioner A.C. Avila.

Track Stats

From a total of 44 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the

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

choices combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the

Cushion oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while five

of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (42 percent).

Four of the six main-track events on Thursday were won in wire-to-wire

fashion, but just three of the 26 other Cushion Track tests saw the winner lead

at every call.

Middle post positions (4-6) dominated on the main strip this past week,

taking 17 of the 32 races on the main oval.

The turf course was kinder to front runners than it has been to this point,

but a few winners were also seen closing from well back on the sod.

Meet Totals

RACES:		157
CUSHION TRACK:		113
TURF:		44
FAVORITES:		63 (40 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		28 (18 percent)
TURF WIRE:		10 (23 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:		28 (25 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/12)

3RD -- NICOLE H (Mr. Greeley) ran another good one for David Hofmans but had

the misfortune into running against a smart prospect in here. The three-year-old

miss should get it done soon.

7TH -- Dubai import RED EYE EXPRESS (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) just missed in a

fine U.S. debut for Neil Drysdale. Unraced since February of 2009, the

five-year-old is one to watch this summer.

Thursday (5/13)

2ND -- THISONEFORYOU (Candy Ride [Arg]) ran off to her second straight win

for Mike Mitchell, pulling away in a fine showing under Martin Garcia. The

California-bred filly seems destined for open company.

6TH -- LAVENDER TOUCH (Touch Gold) didn't show much rust in a sharp runner-up

performance for Doug O'Neill, and the lass is a win contender next out with any

improvement.

7TH -- SURFER GIRL (Brz) (Wild Event) rallied for a minor award yet again for

Mike Puype, and we're still hoping to see this one try one mile in the near

future. The talented mare has a nice turn of foot and ran her final quarter-mile

in a snappy :22 3/5.

8TH -- FANTANDO (GB) (Fantastic Light) put forth a quality showing in his

stateside debut for Mitchell, falling a nose short at the wire. The gelded

sophomore will be a major force versus similar.

Friday (5/14)

7TH -- FANDINO (Langfuhr) put away two horses on the front prior to giving

way late in a smart second-place run for conditioner Julio Canani. The fleet

gelding is in very good current form.

Saturday (5/15)

5TH -- KEVLAR KID (Rock Hard Ten) won as expected in here for Carla Gaines,

and the three-year-old is really looking like an intriguing long-term prospect.

The Kentucky-bred finished off his final two panels in :23 2/5, and his pedigree

suggests that more ground would not be a bad thing.

8TH -- The improving FALCON ROCK (Ire) (Hawk Wing) had no chance with the

winner but did finish in front of a useful group in his third start on U.S.

soil. The well-bred five-year-old should always be considered for the gimmicks

in these types of events.

Sunday (5/16)

5TH – BLAME THE WINE (Decarchy) rebounded well from a poor effort in stakes

company to make fairly short work of this field for Jerry Hollendorfer. The

Notebook regular continues to impress.

A Look Ahead 

Saturday's $100,000 Laz Barrera Memorial S. (G3) is the lone graded race on

tap for the upcoming weekend at Hollywood.