Hollywood Park Notebook

HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK

JUNE 30, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

Hollywood Park announced last week that it has made its choice for a new

synthetic racing surface. Once the Spring/Summer Meet wraps up on July 16,

Equestrian Surfaces of the United Kingdom will begin replacing the current dirt

track with a surface known as "Cushion Track."

The new surface is scheduled to be completely installed by the time the

stable area opens once again in September. As a result, Hollywood Park will

become the first California track to conduct its races on a synthetic surface,

thus complying with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) mandate that all

five of the major Thoroughbred tracks in the state install synthetic racing

surfaces prior to December 31, 2007. This should certainly be interesting.

Meanwhile, MEMORETTE (Memo [Chi]), whose lone victory in the last two years

came against state-bred runners, finally got over the hump in graded stakes

competition when she rallied strongly in the stretch to win the Beverly Hills H.

(G2) by three-quarters of a length.

Relaxing off a contentious fight for the lead down the backstretch, the Bill

Currin-trained runner found her best stride leaving the far turn. She sustained

her rally to overtake Live Life (Fr) (Linamix) in deep stretch and then edged

away in the final yards.

The runner-up, who raced within striking distance of a very lively pace in

the marathon turf contest under jockey Patrick Valenzuela, eventually secured a

daylight advantage around the far turn. However, she was unable to match strides

with the winner late and had to settle for second money. Moscow Burning (Moscow

Ballet) showed early speed and was then gathered back to stalk the early pace

down the backstretch. She was maneuvered off the inside for a stretch bid and

closed willingly late to get the show as the 2-1 favorite. Eternal Melody (NZ)

(Shinko King), the 3-1 third choice in the betting, raced toward the back of the

pack early on and could offer only a mild response and wound up fifth.

The Cinema Breeders' Cup H. (G3) on Sunday was marred by a spill when New

Joysey Jeff (Bright Launch), who appeared on his way to victory in the stretch,

shied away when struck by the whip by jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. and dumped the

rider. Valdivia hit the ground hard and sustained a broken collarbone.

GENRE (GB) (Orpen) benefited from this unfortunate incident, rallying between

runners in the stretch to eke out a half-length victory. Niagara Causeway

(Giant's Causeway) stalked the pace carved out by The Five J's (Lost Soldier)

into the stretch. He subsequently displaced that rival on the lead while gaining

a brief advantage, but could not resist the winner. Film Fortune (Indy Film)

raced in the second flight of runners while chasing the early pace, and then was

hard-pressed to outfinish The Five J's for the show.

Also on the Sunday card, jockey David Flores was unseated when his mount,

Bruisen Susan (Proudest Romeo), clipped heels in the 5TH race. He appeared to

escape injury and X-rays appeared negative.

In addition, Kerwin John was able to leave the track under his own power when

Valetto (Victory Gallop) broke down just past the wire in the 6TH race.

Victor Espinoza assumed the top spot in the jockey standings last week and

now leads Valenzuela by a single victory. Apprentice rider Martin Garcia

completes the top three.

Doug O'Neill and Jeff Mullins remain in a dead-heat for first place in the

trainer standings, with Mike Harrington continuing to hold onto third.

Speed unquestionably held an edge on the main track on Thursday and once

again on Saturday. The outside paths seemed best on Saturday. The turf course

played fairly when in use.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/21)

8TH – ANOZIRA (Commendable) put forth a creditable effort in his Southern

California debut. The chestnut exhibited a good turn of early foot to argue a

hot pace from a tough outside post and continued on well in the stretch to

finish third. He should have derived beneficial conditioning/experience from

this showing.

Thursday (6/22)

1ST – QUEMAR (NZ) (Haafiz [Ire]) did well to get the place while rallying off

a pedestrian pace. She appears best suited to a route of ground and might

benefit from some class relief going forward.

7TH – INDY MISS (A.P. Indy) showed an improved effort in her second start off

a layoff. The bay suffered yet another wide trip attempting to rally off an

ordinary early pace and could possibly be prepping for the upcoming Del Mar

meet, the site of her lone win in her career debut.

Friday (6/23)

1ST – SIXTH STREET JOE (Rizzi) was a good third on the drop. The chestnut

tired slowly after setting a quick and pressured pace. He might prove to be

difficult to catch in his next start if able to clear the field early.

7TH – ROBS COIN (Hey Rob) showed a tough-luck effort stretching out and

switching back to the turf in his second start off the Mullins claim. He

overcame a tough outside post at a mile to duel three wide for the lead down the

backstretch. Gaining command around the far turn, he gave ground grudgingly to a

pair of off-the-pace runners near the wire. The dark bay has won on grass in the

past, albeit sprinting, and boasts a gaudy win percentage on dirt.

Saturday (6/24)

4TH – WARNING ZONE (Chester House) ran an encouraging second in his

well-meant debut. The bay finished with good energy between runners in a good

educational race to begin his career and has the pedigree to flourish around

two turns. This barn rarely wins with first timers, so further progress is

likely.

8TH – Live Life won the pace battle, but lost the war, grudgingly giving up

the lead late to a fresh closer. She relishes a heated battle for the front end

and would benefit from a softer pace scenario.

Sunday (6/25)

7TH – The Five J's was ambitiously spotted in this Grade 3 stakes. Stretched

out to nine furlongs off a preliminary allowance victory and a brief rest, he

acquitted himself well in defeat. The gelding maintained the lead into the

stretch before weakening under pressure and seems to have found his niche on

the turf. He would also profit from a class drop and a cutback in distance.

9TH – CYNFUL MOON (Malibu Moon) broke slowly yet again in her second start

despite the addition of blinkers. She did manage to get the show, rallying from

the back off the pack in a swiftly run contest, and needs only a clean getaway

to show further improvement.