Hollywood Park Notebook

HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK

JUNE 9, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

The role of favorite in the Milady Breeders' Cup H. (G2) on Saturday

fluctuated between PROPOSED (Benchmark) and Star Parade (Arg) (Parade Marshal),

with the latter finally earning the distinction as the betting choice.

However, it was a different story on the track, with Proposed getting the

upper hand as she eked out a hard-fought head decision over Star Parade.

Proposed, breaking from the rail under jockey Pat Valenzuela, set a pressured

pace along the inside as the field made their way down the backstretch. She was

hounded virtually every step of the way by a pesky Somethinaboutlaura (Dance

Floor), with Star Parade within striking position the entire time.

Somethinaboutlaura actually put a head in front passing in the stretch at the

eighth pole, but Proposed was emboldened by the challenge, coming again to

recapture the lead. She was able to fend off a resolute Somethinaboutlaura, who

refused to go away, and then held gamely to repel a futile last ditch rally from

Star Parade in the final yards to gain the victory.

When the dust finally cleared, Proposed had earned a hard-fought head victory

over Star Parade, with Somethinaboutlaura three-quarters of a length farther

behind in third. Memorette (Memo [Chi]), the 9-2 third choice in the wagering,

made up ground late without threatening and finished last of five.

On Sunday, three-year-old fillies squared off in the Honeymoon Breeders' Cup

H. (G3) on turf. Odds-on favoritism fell upon ATTIMA (GB) (Zafonic), and she did

not disappoint, leading every step of the way en route to a 1 1/4-length score.

Ridden once again by jockey Victor Espinoza, the pair made all the pace in

the 1 1/16-mile contest, brushing off a challenge from Foxysox (GB) (Foxhound)

in midstretch before pulling away once more. Foxysox simply could not overtake

the winner, but was far from being disgraced, settling for second money with

Proxenia (GB) (Pursuit of Love) closing belatedly to get the show, thus

completing an all-England bred trifecta.

Valenzuela continues to sit atop the jockey standings, with Espinoza

maintaining his hold on second. David Cohen remains a distant third.

Doug O'Neill boasts a slim lead over Jeff Mullins in the race for leading

trainer, with Mike Harrington a close third.

The lone bias on the main track occurred on Saturday, when speed did

extremely well. There was no discernible path bias to speak of. The turf course played uniformly all week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/31)

3RD – NEW REGINA (Brz) (Royal Academy) was compromised by very deliberate

fractions in a marathon turf route. Finished willingly to claim the place as the

race quickened noticeably late. Obviously needs a more flattering pace scenario

to be at her best

4TH – MISS NORTHERN DAWN (Northern Afleet) set a very quick and pressured

pace in just her second career start off a layoff. She gave way readily when

challenged in a race she obviously needed.

Thursday (6/1)

1ST – IDIOT PROOF (Benchmark), a facile winner in his well bet/well meant

career debut, immediately gained the lead and widened his advantage en route to

a daylight victory. Appears as if he has a future and will improve with

distance.

3RD – PRIVATE BANKING (Fr) (Anabaa), in a change in tactics, dictated the

pace returning from a layoff. Held well until midstretch before tiring. Surprise

speed may be a hint that she is finally ready to register her initial North

American victory.

Friday (6/2)

4TH – SABIO (Naevus Star) turned in an encouraging showing in his career

debut on grass, a surface he is not really bred to like. Held well on the front

end before eventually tiring in the stretch. Both his sire/dam fared best in

dirt sprints, and a surface switch is a definite possibility in the future.

Saturday (6/3)

2ND – ESPRESSO LOVE (Grand Slam) recorded a good second dropping in for a

selling price. Gave futile chase to a wire-to-wire winner over a speed-biased

course. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from his initial race over

the Hollywood Park main track.

3RD – Memorette barely picked up her feet switching back to dirt in a Grade 2

stakes. Reduced her deficit late in a non-threatening effort. Cal-bred runner is

eligible for softer competition on grass.

Sunday (6/4)

8TH – GALILEO'S STAR (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) was zealously spotted off the

shelf in her U.S. debut effort. Faced graded stakes rivals while still eligible

for a preliminary allowance contest. Nevertheless, she finished a respectable

fourth behind modest fractions while stretching out to nine furlongs.

9TH – SEEMS TO ME (Housebuster) appeared home free in midstretch, securing a

daylight advantage. Coughed up the lead upon feeling the effects of his early

exploits in deep stretch. Newfound tactical speed would serve him well in

shorter sprints.