Hollywood Park Notebook

HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK

JUNE 23, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

The Affirmed H. (G3) showcased the return of POINT DETERMINED (Point Given)

and A.P. Warrior (A.P. Indy) to the racing wars off disappointing efforts in the

Kentucky Derby (G1). Battle lines between these two rivals were drawn rather

quickly as they left the gate running, with A.P. Warrior leading the way down

backstretch and Point Determined directly to his outside. They continued to race

virtually as a team, with A.P. Warrior still holding onto a slight advantage

until they reached the midstretch point. However, under a furious encouragement

by jockey Victor Espinoza, the Bob Baffert-trained Point Determined was able to

have his nose in front at the finish, with A.P. Warrior suffering a

heartbreaking defeat by the slimmest of margins. Arson Squad (Brahms) was

relatively one-paced while racing within striking of the pacesetters and closed

some ground in the stretch without threatening the top two finishers.

Jockey David Flores might have gotten the short end of the stick in the

Affirmed aboard A.P. Warrior, but he rectified that situation in the Californian

S. (G2) one hour later, piloting DIXIE MEISTER (Holzmeister) to a determined

one-length victory.

Taken farther off the pace by Flores in his second start off a two-month

break, Dixie Meister settled near the back of the pack early on before finally

kicking into gear in the stretch. He was able to secure a small advantage by the

time the field reached the furlong marker and maintained his lead to the wire

under a stiff drive. Super Frolic (Pine Bluff) offered a much improved effort

returning from his debacle in the desert last March. He raced within shouting

distance of the front runners down the backstretch and finished with interest to

get the place along the inside over That's An Outrage (Quiet American), who

rallied from off the pace as well. Spellbinder (Tale of the Cat), the 2-1

favorite in the wagering, was hard used fighting for the front end. He did

manage to secure a lead around the far turn, but paid the price for his early

exploits, weakening under pressure in the stretch to finish sixth.

Sunday's Quicken Tree S. belonged to DER ALI (Wheatly Hall), who is

conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. Enjoying a good stalking

position for the majority of this marathon turf contest, Der Ali rallied outside

of rivals to reach the front in the stretch and then held gamely to maintain the

lead while winning by a half-length. Cut Trail (Malek [Chi]) stalked the slow

pace throughout and was able to save the place by a nose over longshot Sultry

Bard (Sultry Song), who closed belatedly. Johnny High Brite (High Brite), the

5-2 second choice in the wagering, was rank dueling for the early lead. He

eventually took up a position from just off the pace, but had to await racing

room while looking to rally. He lacked a further response and checked in fourth.

Pat Valenzuela owns a three-victory cushion over fellow rider Espinoza in the

jockey standings. David Cohen remains a distant third on the list.

Doug O'Neill and Jeff Mullins are tied for the top spot in the trainer

standings, with Mike Harrington rounding out the top three.

Speed was most definitely advantaged over the main track on Thursday, but

that bias seemed to dissipate on Friday night when the track returned to normal.

Early speed types appeared to fare well once again on Sunday. There did not

appear to be any path bias last week.

The turf course did not seem to favor any particular running style all week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/14)

2ND – DELIVERING SPEED (Unbridled's Song) improved off the Jeff Mullins

claim, setting a pressured pace to the stretch before tiring. His three career

wins have come while either stalking or rating from off the pace.

4TH – FAST AND FURIOUS (Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]) was clearly a tad short for a

surprisingly cold trainer, Ron McAnally. Finished with good energy late chasing

home a loose wire-to-wire winner. Should move forward in his second start off

the shelf, especially with added distance.

6TH – MORE ANGELS (Slew of Angels) has been overmatched since moving to

Hollywood Park. Turned in a creditable showing here on grass, but was unable to

sustain her rally late. Appears better suited to the main track and for a

slightly lesser selling price.

Thursday (6/15)

3RD – SONG AND A WAGER (Valid Wager) outran her triple-digit odds for a low

percentage trainer in her first start. She was hindered by a bit of a slow

beginning from her outside post in a shortened sprint. Did well to improve her

position late over a speed biased track and should have derived beneficial

conditioning/experience from this effort.

6TH – SUPER FREAKY (Smart Strike) turned in an even third-place finish in her

well bet/well meant career debut. Chased a lively early pace over a speed

favoring surface in a race that finished up well late. Should improve as the

distances increase.

Friday (6/16)

3RD – SHERIFF JORDAN (Gone West) simply "whistled" in his return effort in

his Hollywood Park turf debut. Immediately grabbed a daylight lead and was never

seriously threatened. Can handle winners in his next start if kept sprinting

while taking the next logical step up the class ladder.

Saturday (6/17)

4TH – CAUSE TO BELIEVE (Maria's Mon) had been zealously spotted when badly

beaten vs. the top three-year-olds in the country. Creditable fourth-place

finish vs. more accomplished rivals returning to California. Was unable to

reduce his deficit as the pace quickened. Useful foundation-building effort off

a brief freshening, but needs additional class relief to be at his best.

8TH – PREACHINATTHEBAR (Silver Charm) recorded an improved effort returning

to a dry track over his Southern California home base. Offered a good bid to vie

for command into the stretch, but failed to sustain that rally late. Has room to

progress further off this showing over a track he loves.

Sunday (6/18)

3RD – Johnny High Brite failed to relax on an early lead while stretching out

to 12 furlongs, which appears to be beyond his scope. Lacked running room

attempting to improve his position and eventually got fourth in an effort that

is better than it looks. Has never run in-the-money on grass, so he would

obviously profit from a return to the main track and a drop back into an early

level allowance contest as well.

4RD – SOUTHERN MAN (Two Punch) offered a fine effort in his unveiling by a

trainer who boasts anemic stats with firsters. Dueled head and head for the lead

with the odds-on winning favorite and then held gamely, yielding the place in

the final yards. Both his sire and dam excelled in dirt sprints, and he is a

full brother to the stakes-winning sprinter Storm Punch.