Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

June 23, 2010

by John Mucciolo

Sophomores were in the spotlight during the past week at Hollywood Park.

Affirmed H. (G3):  Jay Em Ess Stable's GOLDEN ITIZ (Tiznow) made

the jump to stakes ranks with relative ease for trainer Ron Ellis, taking over

inside the final furlong to post a measured, half-length win under Tyler Baze.

The rising sophomore star finished off 1 1/16-miles in 1:42 4/5.

Will Rogers S. (G3): Ellenay Racing's homebred LEROY'S DYNAMEAUX (Leroidesanimaux

[Brz]) surged home with fine acceleration to nip the favorite at the wire in

taking this grass test under the guidance of Joel Rosario. The Golden Gate

import sped 1 1/16 grassy miles in a smart 1:40 2/5 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Track Stats:

From a total of 34 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the

four-day (racing was canceled Thursday) race week, favorites won at a 32 percent

clip and the top two betting choices combined for 50 percent of the wins. From

22 frays contested on the Cushion oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire

fashion (32 percent), while three of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on

the lead (25 percent).

Not a single horse won from a post wider than six prior to the last race of

the week, but small fields surely had much to do with that fact.

Speed on the main oval was best on Sunday, with three winners leading at

every call from six Cushion races.

Meet Totals:

RACES:		316
CUSHION TRACK:		241
TURF:		109
FAVORITES:		141 (40 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		70 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		23 (21 percent
CUSHION WIRE:		67 (28 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH:

Wednesday (6/16)

2ND -- MOONSTRUCK MAYA (Malibu Moon) was heavily backed in her debut and

delivered for trainer Carla Gaines, running down a clear leader en route to an

impressive win on this day. The intriguing prospect should be live next out.

6TH -- The Bob Baffert-trained RAPPORT (Songandaprayer) has run two big ones

in succession and gives the impression of a being a serious player in the filly

ranks throughout the summer. The speedy three-year-old dismantled a solid group

in here with a fast final time.

Friday (6/18)

7TH -- MIGUEL'S MASCOT (Marino Marini) hadn't raced since May of 2009, so

taking the lead in the lane and finishing a close third in here must be viewed

as a positive for conditioner Eric Kruljac. The gelded four-year-old should be a

factor in his next and especially the one following that.

Saturday (6/19)

3RD -- Blinkers didn't get ROYAL F J (Royal Academy) over the hump in here as

the three-year-old registered yet another second-place finish, so we don't know

what to say. The gelding obviously has ability and has been unlucky to run into

a few good ones, but all of the minor awards he's been accruing are getting too

habitual for us.

7TH -- SURFER GIRL (Brz) (Wild Event) didn't move up with the added ground as

we thought she might, and this marks another talented horse that we're not sure

will get over a hump anytime soon. The talented mare seems to be a bit of an

enigma.

Sunday (6/20)

7TH -- GRAY ZULU (Amaruk) showed a lot of heart in holding off a foe for

virtually the entire stretch in this one for conditioner Peter Eurton, posting

his second consecutive tally in the process. We'll keep an eye on the gelding,

who might be able to handle a bit more ground.

9TH -- We're not sure what REALLY ELEGANT (Cutlass Reality) ran against in

this one, but the debuting four-year-old came close to pulling off a huge upset

in this dash for conditioner Richard Rosales. The runner-up also spotted the

winner seven pounds and broke from the widest post.

A Look Ahead

Saturday's feature is the $100,000 Beverly Hills H. (G3), the lone graded

race of the upcoming weekend.