Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

APRIL 28, 2010

by John Mucciolo

California Gold Rush Day was the centerpiece during the opening week at

Hollywood.

Inglewood H. (G3): Chris and Diane Randall's GALLANT SON (Malabar Gold)

deservedly broke through at this level with a closing, 1 3/4-length win under Mike

Smith. The hard-trying four-year-old finished off 1 1/16-miles on the firm lawn

in a rapid 1:39 3/5 for Frank Lucarelli.

California Gold Rush Day: Congratulations to all of the connections

surrounding the following runners who struck gold at Hollywood on Saturday:

ALPHIE'S BET (Tribal Rule), CAMILLE C (Roman Dancer), U R ALL THAT I AM

(Valid Wager), EXCELLENT NEWS (Rahy), FANTASY FREE (Free House), UNCLE DON

(Lemon Drop Kid), MONEY LOVER (Marino Marini) and FUN AND FROLIC (Freespool).

Track Stats

From a total of 35 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack during the

five-day race week, favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 54 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the

Cushion oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while two

of the 10 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (20 percent).

This racing surface here is quite different than that of the one installed at

Santa Anita, as opening week indicated. Speed is much more dangerous on this

strip, and it is surely more prone to having biases.

Opening day yielded four wire jobs from five races contested on the main

oval, while four won in front-running fashion on Saturday from eight main strip

events (combined eight for 13). Conversely, not a single winner led at every call on

Friday or Sunday from a combined 12 Cushion tussles.

From a post position standpoint, everything seemed legitimate with 19 of the

25 main-track winners breaking from posts 1-6. Saving ground doesn't hurt,

though.

Meet Totals

RACES:		35
CUSHION TRACK:		25
TURF:		10
FAVORITES:		14 (40 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		5 (14 percent)
TURF WIRE:		2 (20 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:		8 (32 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/21)

1ST -- BELLEOFTHEBRIDLE (Yes It's True) won the first race of the meeting in

fine fashion, leading at every call in a 5 3/4-length romp over her male foes in

here. The Walther Solis pupil could be any kind and warrants respect next out no

matter where she appears.

5TH -- SURFER GIRL (Brz) (Wild Event) made a nice late run while

not seriously challenging for the win in here, and we'd still like to see the

Mike Puype trainee go one mile over this turf course. We'll tab her if she does.

Friday (4/23)

3RD -- IRISH TORRENT (Giant's Causeway) rallied bravely between runners late

and just missed in a strong third-place finish in this one for Beau Greely. The

four-year-old filly deserves a long look next time.

5TH -- We still maintain that HOCKLEY (A.P. Indy) is better than

what he has shown to date, as the well-bred colt has strung together a trio of

useful races in succession and might be ready to bust out. We'd love to see the

bay return to dirt.

Saturday (4/24)

2ND -- Three-year-old KILLER BEAR (Northern Devil) came out of nowhere to run a

huge second in here at a big number for Steve Knapp. We won't be getting 48-1,

but we'll keep a close watch on the colt, who faced elders in here, next out.

8TH -- It was good to see GET FUNKY (Straight Man) back into the

winner's circle for John Sadler, as the seven-year-old proved that he still has

fight left in him.

Sunday (4/25)

7TH -- BEST MON (Maria's Mon) showed a ton of heart in battling

back on the rail after being passed by a pair of runners at the top of the

stretch to get a well-deserved win for Paul Aguirre. We're not sold on the

caliber of this field, but we did like the way the lightly raced gelding got his

win.

A Look Ahead

The $100,000 Wilshire H. (G3) on Saturday and Sunday's $100,000 Senorita S.

(G3) on Sunday are the graded races slated for Kentucky Derby (G1) weekend at

Hollywood.