Hollywood Park Notebook

HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 22, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

Will they be the stars of tomorrow? Juvenile runners took center stage this

past weekend at Hollywood Park as the Inglewood, California, track once again presented the

Hollywood Futurity (G1) and the Hollywood Starlet (G1). The 1 1/16-mile stakes

highlighted the final weekend of the meet.

Your Tent or Mine (Forest Camp), unbeaten in both career starts thus far, was

dispatched as the 9-5 favorite in the Futurity as he made his initial start

around two turns. It would be an adventure from the instant the gates opened,

with BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) veering inward and making substantial contact

with Your Tent or Mine. Nevertheless, Brother Derek proceeded to stalk the early

pacesetter while the favorite recovered to race within shouting distance of the

front runners down the backstretch. Brother Derek, trained by Dan Hendricks,

eventually won the pace battle, opening up a daylight lead around the far turn

with Your Tent or Mine improving his position at that time as well. With Alex

Solis aboard Brother Derek, the pair settled into the stretch with what would

turn out to be an insurmountable lead over Your Tent or Mine, who had to settle

for second money as he gave futile chase to the winner. Bob and John (Seeking

the Gold) attended the pace from the outset, but was unable to match strides

with the top pair and checked in third, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of A. P. Warrior (A.P.

Indy), who was never a serious threat.

Much like a child anticipates a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas, you just

knew there would either be a stewards' inquiry or an objection concerning the

start of the race. And, we weren't surprised as jockey Pat Valenzuela, who rode

the runner-up, claimed foul against the winner, alleging interference leaving

the gate. It was all for naught as the stewards ruled that the contact did not

warrant a disqualification.

There was drama of a different variety on Sunday when DIPLOMAT LADY

(Forestry) lead every step of the way to upset the Starlet field at odds of

39-1. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Diplomat Lady was hustled away from her inside post

the moment the gates opened to secure an early lead. She rated kindly on the

front end for Baze and held on grimly in the stretch to win by a half-length.

Balance (Thunder Gulch), always within striking distance of the winner, just

could not overhaul that rival in the stretch, finishing with good energy in yet

another sharp effort. Sabatani (Five Star Day) closed from far back to get the

show in a good effort.

Martin Pedroza annexed his first riding title at a major Southern California

meet, getting the best of Valenzuela by five victories to take down top honors.

Garrett Gomez and Corey Nakatani finished in a dead-heat for third-place in the

standings.

Jeff Mullins was the leading trainer by just a single victory over Doug

O'Neill and Bob Baffert, who tied for second. Mike Mitchell and John Sadler

finished on even terms for fourth in the standings.

There were no apparent biases on either Thursday or Friday. The main track

seemed to be basically honest in sprints over the weekend and on Monday as well,

with early speed dominating the results around two turns on those days. There did not seem to be any discernible path bias.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (12/15)

5TH -- CELTIC WAY (Benchmark), who dropped into a basement level claimer

while donning the hood once again, turned in an improved showing, finishing well

to get the show in an abbreviated sprint. Has room for further progress off this

effort, especially with more distance, and has demonstrated an ability in the

past to sit closer to the front with blinkers on.

7TH -- FUNKY FRIENDS (Louis Quatorze) was a strong second in his Southern

California return while dropping back into a high-end claimer. Held gamely after

chasing a superior pace rival to the finish and fits well at his current class

level. Would probably appreciate a slight cutback in distance.

Friday (12/16)

1ST -- RIVER ISLAND (Cee's Tizzy) finished a much-improved second switching

back to dirt in his first attempt over a route of ground. Exhibited surprise

speed to dispute the early lead and continued on well late.

2ND -- ALPHABET KISSES (Alphabet Soup) was clearly a tad short in her

comeback effort with the hood removed. Chased a very fast pace in a swiftly run

race, tiring in the stretch in a race she clearly needed.

Saturday (12/17)

6TH -- POLITICAL MANEUVER (Dixie Union) closed from well off the pace to get

the place in his career debut. Encouraging effort against a first timer who

"freaked." Might be at his best around two turns.

8TH -- Your Tent or Mine may have been compromised by a bumping incident at

the start and probably also hindered by modest fractions over a speed conducive

track. Clearly second best in a race that finished up extremely well late and

the lightly raced colt should definitely move forward off his initial effort

around two turns for an astute trainer.

Sunday (12/18)

2ND -- SENATOR MATTY (Matty G) was zealously spotted off the claim by trainer

Steve Knapp. Was hard used chasing a vastly superior pace rival. Seems better

suited to lower level state-bred maiden claimers and would benefit from a

cutback in distance to six furlongs.

5TH -- EZ MONEY HONEY (Royal Egyptian) ran surprisingly well, outrunning her

24-1 post time odds off a 14-month layoff. Stalked the early pace and continued

on well late. Might benefit from a drop into a midlevel claimer and more ground

in subsequent starts.

8TH -- Sabatini closed from far back to get third, stepping way up in her

first start against winners. Raced near the back of the pack early on and

finished with interest over a speed biased course. Must overcome her bad habits

at the gate if she is going to defeat this caliber of competition.

Monday (12/19)

5TH -- BEAU (Swiss Yodeler) was a sharp second off the O'Neill re-claim.

Closed well from far off the pace in a much improved effort. Would relish a

cutback in distance as both of his lifetime wins have come going 6 1/2 furlongs.