Hollywood Park Notebook

HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 20, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

There was plenty of graded action this past weekend at Hollywood Park,

as three such contests were run on the Saturday card. The first such race was

the Los Angeles Times H. (G3) for older runners at six furlongs. FOREST

GROVE (Forestry), making his Hollywood Park debut for trainer Eoin Harty,

benefited from a smart ride from jockey Corey Nakatani in addition to a ground-saving trip to post a well-deserved

three-quarter of a length victory. Forest Grove

broke a bit slowly from the gate, but was able to recover to stalk the early

pace along the inside racing down the backstretch. He continued to save valuable

ground around the far turn and eventually spurted away to a daylight lead in

the stretch, withstanding a late rally from Areyoutalkintome (Smokester). The

runner-up was compromised somewhat by a bit of wide trip, but nevertheless

closed determinedly in a sharp effort. Woke Up Dreamin (Holy Bull) disputed the

pace from the outset and held well to finish third, a length behind the second-place finisher.

RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom) dispatched at odds of 17-1, closed like a 3-5

shot in the stretch to win the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G3) at 12

furlongs on grass. Not even a pedestrian pace could deter the Dan Hendricks-trained runner, who rallied strongly into a fast final quarter to win going

away. Trailing the field for the better part of the race, the winner leveled off

nicely in stretch, and overhauled Vangelis (Highest Honor [Fr]), who had secured a

daylight lead in midstretch. The second-place finisher appeared on his way to

victory after gaining the lead in the stretch, but could not withstand the

winner's late rally. Exterior (Distant View), the 2-1 favorite, improved

his position upon entering the stretch, but was unable to muster a sufficient

closing kick late and wound up settling for third.

This victory marked Runaway Dancer's first winning effort since 2003 in the

Carleton F. Burke H. (G3) at Santa Anita, which was also at

1 1/2 miles. No concrete plans have been made concerning Runaway Dancer's next

start.

ACE BLUE (Brz) (Coax Me Clyde) has taken some time to acclimate himself to

racing in the United States. However, he demonstrated he has finally gotten the hang of it

now, stepping up in class to emerge victorious in the Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2)

at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Ace Blue, a forward factor from the outset, hounded the

pacesetting Ender's Shadow (A.P. Indy) down the backstretch. The front runner was unwilling

to throw in the towel, as both runners raced as a team virtually throughout the

race. Ace Blue was finally able to assert himself a bit more than the runner-up,

putting his head in front at the wire over Ender's Shadow, who had to endure a

heartbreaking defeat. Borrego (El Prado [Ire]), sent off as the favorite in the race,

sat a good trip off the dueling pacesetters and was gaining ground on those

rivals late, but his rally fell short as he was beaten a head and a neck for all

the money.

Juvenile fillies took center stage on Sunday, with nine runners contesting

the Nursery S. As is the case with most baby races, they are won on the

front end. And the Nursery was no different as LIL' SISTER SWISS

(Swiss Yodeler) proved to be a worthy odds-on favorite as she posted a decisive

two-length victory. The winner is bred, owned and trained by Patricia

Harrington. Walkonkaydeeavenue (Avenue of Flags) chased the winner throughout

and held for second over Slick Road (Mud Route).

Doug O'Neill and Vladimir Cerin remain deadlocked for first in the trainer

standings. Bob Baffert continues to hold down the third spot, with five trainers

in a dead heat for fourth.

Garret Gomez leads all jockeys, with Victor Espinoza trailing by only one

win. Rene Douglas is a distant third, and there is a three-way battle for the

fourth spot.

The main track seemed to play fair all week as did the turf course. The

outside paths appeared to be best on Friday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/11)

3RD – TAKE A CHANCE (Petionville) showed good effort making his second start off the layoff

and stretching out. May have made a premature middle move to gain a clear lead,

only to give ground grudgingly to a closer. Should have derived beneficial

conditioning from this effort.

5TH – VENCEDORA AMIGA (Broad Brush) was compromised by a pedestrian pace on the

front end. Needs a livelier pace scenario to demonstrate her best effort.

Thursday (5/12)

3RD – NEW YORK DANCER (Dance Floor) was hard used setting a quick and pressured

pace from the rail at seven furlongs off the shelf. Is eligible for a starters allowance

event and would also benefit from a cutback in distance.

7TH – SIPHONIZER (Siphon) recorded a useful third-place finish tracking a very quick

pace. Ultimately proved no match for a wire-to-wire Grade 2 stakes- placed winner

dropping down. Appears better-suited to six furlongs.

Friday (5/13)

5TH – IT'S QUITE UNUSUAL (Unusual Heat) used the wrong tactics in his first start against

winners off a freshening. Chased a very fast pace and wilted in the stretch.

Prefers to sit and make one run and may like a flat mile better.

7TH – DOMAINE (Hussonet) finished clearly a tad short in her U. S unveiling 'under the

lights' off a prolonged layoff for Bobby Frankel. Stalked the pacesetter to the far

turn before retreating. Should move forward in second start off the shelf with Lasix.

Saturday (5/14)

4TH – AREYOUTALKINTOME (Smokester) was a much-improved second cutting back in distance

and switching to Rene Douglas. Overcame a bit of a wide trip and finished gamely,

reducing his deficit against a ground saving winner. Has never finished

out-of-the money at six furlongs, and is ultra consistent when spotted properly.

6TH – VANGELIS (Highest Honor [Fr]) had the look of a sure winner in the stretch

with the hood removed returning from a layoff for Frankel. Drove to a clear lead

in midstretch only to have his rustiness start to show late. A Group 2 winner

overseas, he should annex his initial North American victory soon.

Sunday (5/15)

1ST - BRATISLAVA (Awesome Again) used this one as an 'Education race' in well-bet debut for a

trainer and a sire that do not excel with debut runners. Allowed to race near

the back of the pack early and finished evenly. A half-sister to the Grade 2-winning Eurosilver

(Unbridled's Song), impending improvement is likely and it may come at a

distance of ground as her sire and dam flourished in route races.

4TH – JOHNNY RED KERR (Mr. Greeley) turned in a useful second-place finish off the shelf.

Did not come away from the gate all that sharply from an outside post. Managed

to finish with good energy late, gaining the place behind a well-meant winner

who benefited by setting an uncontested pace.