Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

JUNE 26, 2013

by John Mucciolo

There was a single Grade 2 affair over the weekend at Hollywood Park.

Hollywood Oaks (G2): Tommy Town Thoroughbreds' homebred

DOINGHARDTIMEAGAIN (Minister's Wildcat) took the lead out of the gate and never

looked back in posting a convincing 2 1/2-length tally under Rafael Bejarano.

The Jerry Hollendorfer pupil traveled the 1 1/16 miles on the Cushion oval in

1:43 1/5 to post her first graded win.

Track Stats

From a total of 34 races held at the Inglewood, California, racetrack during

the past week, favorites won at a 56 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 62 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the

Cushion Track oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while

one horse went all the way on the lead from 12 turf events (8 percent).

While favorites dominated the racing with 19 wins from 34 races, just a pair

of second choices came through in this all-or-nothing week of sorts.

The lone turf wire job came in a route stakes race by and odds-on winner.

We thought the main oval was mostly fair, as the number of winning favorites

would indicate.

Meet Totals

RACES:		324
CUSHION:		220
TURF:		104
FAVORITES:		114 (35 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		64 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		18 (17 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:		65 (30 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (6/20)

4TH -- HEAT TRAP (Unusual Heat) followed up her superb debut win with an

easier score in her first start against winners for trainer Carla Gaines and

it's pretty obvious that this four-year-old has a lot of ability. The filly was

in the race a lot sooner on this occasion and could evolve into a stakes player

in the near future.

6TH -- CARBONITE (Aldebaran) dueled for the lead to the top of the lane, fell

a length behind in late stretch and re-rallied to be a very game winner in this

spot for John Sadler. The seven-year-old gelding still has some run left in him

for sure.

7TH -- FREAKIN ROCKET (Rock Hard Ten) rolled past the clear leader in

midstretch and flew home to romp over this field by 5 1/2 lengths under Mike

Smith. The sophomore colt from the barn of Tim Yakteen has been very impressive

from two starts to date and could be any kind with progression throughout the

season.

Friday (6/21)

1ST -- MIA LADY (Salt Lake) was in command turning for home and never looked

back in trouncing this maiden field, which we thought had some potential. The

Simon Callaghan pupil could be a big player in her debut with winners right

back.

7TH -- BOAT TRIP (Harlan's Holiday) rated off the wicked early pace and

closed with a ton of energy to get up in his second start of 2013. The

stakes-winning four-year-old loves sprinting on the lawn and will be stakes

bound in the very near future, if not next time.

Saturday (6/22)

1ST -- EVERTON (Indian Charlie) burned a lot of money in this race was a

narrow second, but the Bob Baffert pupil showed a lot of heart when racing in

between foes for most of the stretch and he gives the impression of a runner who

might handle a stretch out to a route.

2ND -- WARRENS VENEDALUCY (Doc Gus) couldn't get past the favored winner in

this one but finished more than eight lengths clear of third in a fine runner-up

showing here. Trainer Robert Troeger may have gotten a good one with the claim

of this filly.

7TH -- ONTOLOGY (Tapit) ran a huge second in this one for Callaghan while

overcoming the rail draw and we think this one has a bright future, being bred

to run longer.

A Look Ahead

A pair of Grade 1 races will headline the Saturday card at Hollywood Park. On

tap are the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile and the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap.