Hollywood Park Notebook

HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK

JUNE 23, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

With the retirement of Ghostzapper due to an injury last week, an obvious

void has been left in racing that will be nearly impossible to fill. The

handicap division for older horses will be searching for a new leader in the

upcoming weeks, and it will be interesting to see who climbs to the top spot due

to the absence of this remarkable runner. Thoroughbred racing can ill afford to

part with such a brilliant individual, and his injury is a painful reminder of

the fragile nature of the equine athlete. Ghostzapper will be missed.

One of two graded events on Saturday's card at Hollywood Park, the

Californian S. (G2) featured older handicap runners going nine furlongs. The race

marked the return to competition for Choctaw Nation (Louis Quatorze), who was a

respectable third in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) in March. However, it would be the

Doug O'Neill-trained LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew) who would take down top honors in

the race, as this four-year-old gelding has been transformed into a completely

different animal since being equipped with blinkers.

Tracking a modest pace under jockey Pat Valenzuela, Lava Man was finally able

to duel the pacesetter into defeat entering the stretch and assumed a one-length

advantage. He maintained that lead to the wire as Anziyan Royalty (Anziyan), who

attended the pace from the outset, could not muster the necessary late response

while clearly second best. Longshot Skukuza (Lord Avie) closed belatedly to take

down the show as Borrego (El Prado [Ire]) and Choctaw Nation, who were both generously

supported in the wagering, raced one paced throughout and neither was able to

make their presence felt.

The winner was claimed for $50,000 at Del Mar last August by O'Neill and, up

to that point, had never won on dirt. He now has two stakes wins over the main

track, in addition to runner-up efforts in California-bred stakes races and a

sparkling second-place showing to the more accomplished Rock Hard Ten (Kris S.) in the

Malibu S. (G1) in December at Santa Anita.

The Affirmed H. (G3) also took place Saturday, but the race disappointedly

was pared down to just four runners due to late scratches. Nevertheless, it was

quite a competitive event with little separating the compact field of sophomore

runners as they raced around the far turn. INDIAN OCEAN (Stormy Atlantic), who

had stalked the early pace from the start, out-gamed a stubborn Surf Cat (Sir

Cat) in deep stretch to post a hard-fought neck victory.

Surf Cat, the slight even-money favorite in the race, was an unlucky loser in

his initial start around two turns. Dover Dere (Cherokee Run) was sent

immediately to the lead, but gave ground grudgingly in the stretch and finished

third. Buzzards Bay (Marco Bay), who was last seen finishing fifth in the

Kentucky Derby (G1), made a menacing move along the rail around the far turn to

put his head in front, but gave way badly in the stretch under pressure and

finished last.

O'Neill holds on to first place in the trainer standings with Vladimir Cerin

maintaining his grasp on second place. Neil Drysdale, Mike Mitchell and Steve

Knapp are all tied for the third spot with 10 victories apiece.

Victor Espinoza continues to lead Garret Gomez in the jockey standings, with

Tyler Baze moving into third place last week. Alex Solis slipped to fourth and

Rene Douglas rounds out the top five.

Runners who stalked or set the early pace in both sprints and routes did well

on Wednesday and Thursday. The track appeared to even out on Friday, and

continued to play uniformly over the weekend. The outside paths were best on

Wednesday and Thursday, and played fairly the other days.

The turf course favored off-the-pace runners until Friday, and then played

fairly through Sunday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/15)

1ST – TIGER ON THE LOOSE (Tale of the Cat) turned in a heartbreaking

second-place finish in her well-bet/well-meant debut. Held determinedly while

disputing the pace throughout, only to drop a nose decision. Hails from a

winning family and a strong juvenile sire.

3RD – FRESH SQUEEZED (Fruition) offered a creditable showing in her first

start against winners. Finished with interest late in an abbreviated sprint over

a course conducive to early speed. Would definitely benefit from additional

ground in subsequent starts.

7TH – THUNDER'S ECHO (Swiss Yodeler) finished an even third turning back to a

sprint with the addition of blinkers. Just missed taking down the place late.

All three career victories have come over this course and may be primed winning

effort if kept sprinting at this level.

Thursday (6/16)

3RD – LLUVIOSA (Storm Creek) wound up a creditable fourth in a useful debut

effort. Broke a tad slowly from the rail and forced to chase the early pace

along the deeper inside, she finished with interest once maneuvered off the

rail. Should move forward off this effort as her trainer and sire are not known

for their success with first timers.

4TH – ICE LEGEND (Bertrando) offered a much improved showing switching to

turf. Exhibited a good turn of early foot to set a pressured pace and held

reasonably well to finish a close up fourth. May prefer to sit and rate.

Friday (6/17)

1ST – BAKERSFIELD CHAMP (Twin Spires) outran her 27-1 posttime odds in her

career debut for low profile connections. Disposed of early pace pressure and

subsequently seized a daylight lead around the far turn. Held well to be a clear

second once displaced on the front end by the more seasoned odds-on winning

favorite. All of her siblings to race are winners.

2ND – TOUGH GAME (Mr. Greeley) was a strong third stepping up and stretching

out off the O'Neill claim. Held well until the final furlong after setting a

lively pace on the front end. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from

this effort and may ultimately turn back to sprints in subsequent efforts.

Saturday (6/18)

2ND – BENGAL LORE (Tale of the Cat), a first timer from trainer Ted West, ran

sneaky well in his debut. Dictated a strong pace on the front end and then

yielded to a odds-on winning debut runner in a swiftly run race. Relinquished

the place late to a fresh closer. Should benefit from his initial outing.

7TH – Choctaw Nation was quite possibly feeling the effects of a strong third-place finish in Dubai when he shipped half way around the world in late March.

Might have used this comeback effort as a "bridge race" to get him ready for the

Pacific Classic (G1) later this summer at Del Mar.

9TH – Surf Cat suffered a tough beat finishing second, losing by a

scant nose while tackling graded company in his two turn debut. Battled

gamely the length of the stretch in sharp effort. Late bloomer should definitely

profit from his initial route experience.

Sunday (6/19)

2ND – INANEWYORKSECOND (Runaway Groom) turned in an encouraging third-place

finish off a prolonged layoff switching to the main track. Raced evenly chasing

the early pacesetters in a much needed effort.

7TH – SNAPPED UP (Forest Wildcat) was a decisive winner in a fast time. He

possesses fine tactical speed and could win right back if not ambitiously

spotted against multiple winners in his next start.