Oak Tree Notebook

OAK TREE NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

by John Mucciolo

The $150,000 Las Palmas H. (G2) was the lone graded race over the past week,

while Saturday played host to the California Cup at Hollywood Park.

David and Holly Wilson's BRIECAT (Adcat) took command early and bravely held

on to post an upset in this one for conditioner Vladimir Cerin. The

five-year-old mare finished off one mile on the firm turf in 1:34 3/5 beneath

Pat Valenzuela.

Track Stats

From a total of 43 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack

during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 30 percent clip and the top

two betting choices combined for 60 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested

on the Cushion Track oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12

percent), while three of the 11 grassy tussles were led at every call (27

percent).

Inside posts dominated during Wednesday on the main oval, but that change for

the rest of the week where horses breaking outside of the innermost three slots

did quite well. The abundance of stalkers and closers who came through makes us

think the oval was better off the inside path.

Meet Totals

RACES:                        

190

CUSHION:                   

149

TURF:                           

41

FAVORITES:               

69 (36 percent)

2ND CHOICES:           

52 (27 percent)

TURF WIRE:                

11 (27 percent)

CUSHION WIRE:         33 (22 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/27)

5TH -- LUNCH TIME DIVA (Posse) was a head shy of the win but finished well

clear in second in what was a smart debut for trainer David Hoffmans. The

juvenile filly is an obvious win contender in her next outing.

Thursday (10/28)

7TH -- DON PERICO (In Excess [Ire]) ran a nice race on the front and stayed

on stubbornly to earn the runner-up check in here for trainer Marty Jones. The

gelding would be no surprise in his next outing.

Friday (10/29)

3RD -- Trainer Dan Hendricks is going good right now, and IT'S NOT UNUSUAL

(Unusual Heat) kept his hot run going with an easy win in this event. The gelded

sophomore closed fast in here and seems poised to try open allowance company in

his next.

4TH-- SARAVAS WILD AGAIN (Sarava) changed tactics from closer to front

runner, and the switch paid instant dividends after the win posted in here under

Joel Rosario. The gelded sophomore is a pretty tough customer who rarely fires a

blank.

Saturday (10/30)

2ND -- After enduring trouble in both starts, the Neil Drysdale-trained

ZENIDEKKA (Benchmark) was sent to the front and the tactic change worked,

resulting in a win under Pat Valenzuela in this dash. The talented juvenile is a

threat to come through again in his first start against winners next out.

3RD -- ARRESTING OFFICER (Officer) was well-backed against these and lived up

to the hype with a fine win in a sharp time at first asking for trainer Mike

Mitchell. The intriguing juvenile prospect could be of stakes quality.

A Look Ahead

The Oak Tree meeting has concluded, but the action remains in Inglewood,

California, as the Hollywood Fall Meet picks right up starting Thursday.