Hollywood’s Wednesday Card
Time to start a new week at Hollywood. As Forrest Gump would say, “That’s all I have to say about that”.
Wednesday’s Hollywood Card starts off with a $40,000 Claimer for 4 year olds and up at 1 1/16th miles over the Cushion Track. I’m going to toss the last race that Nice Bet ran last time out because it was his first time in North America. He was in pretty deep that day with Brother Derek and Mast Track. He’s in quite a bit softer today at $40,000 and should improve a great Deal today with a trip around the track. He’s got a nice work that I really liked, and gets the blinkers off today. Sensational Score should be right there if the pace gets hot. There are no real speed horses in this race, but a lot of stalkers. I think Seven Secrets may try for the lead, and if it is contested Sensational Score may be able to come from off the pace to be around at the wire. I the pace is uncontested Seven Secrets may be able to steal this one, or at least get a piece of it. Seven Secrets has been beaten by Gallardo twice while trying to go wire to wire, but Sensational Score beat Gallardo last out, and I don’t like Gallardo after just being claimed.
Race 2 is an Allowance / Optional Claimer for at 6 furlongs over the turf course for three year olds which have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, or starter, or have never won two races, or are in for the $80,000 tag. Jungle Wave was claimed last out winning a $50,000 maiden claimer. He’s not in for the $80,000 claiming tag in this one, but favored Topper Shopper is. Jerry Hollendorfer sends out Jungle Wave and wins 30% first off the claim. He’s he hasn’t faced winners yet, but I think if he handles the turf he’s got a shot in here. Horses on the rail in turf sprints have won 2 of 10 races. Topper Shopper is one of two in here for leading trainer Doug O’Neill. He’s bred for the turf and has three lifetime wins. Last one out was an easy win at $62,500. Reel Prime’s not bred very well for the turf, but has a win and a second in four outs. I’ll give him a shot to light the board.
Race 3 is a Maiden Special Weights race for fillies and mares three years old and up at a mile and one sixteenth over the Cushion Track. Gentlemen’s Crown is the only older horse in here and she ran a nice race last out dropping down to $40,000. She moves back up to Maiden Special Weights today, but I give her a chance to win because she is a four year old. Mozambique is a nice first time starter for Carla Gaines. She wins 25% with first time starters at a mile or greater. Halo’s Clean Sheet looks to be the only speed in the race and if nobody goes out with him he could steal this one.
Race 4 is a $12,500 Claimer for 3 year olds and up which have never won two races at 6 1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track. Melody Conlon has some really nice win percentage numbers 29% of the layoff, 25% route to sprint, and 24% in claiming races. She sends out Young Thomas at a little bit of a price. Run Forest Run drops in half and comes off a layoff in here. Peter Miller does off the layoff too and should have a shot in here. I’ll use Peace Accord in here with those two.
Race 5 is a $40,000 Maiden Claimer for Cal Breds 3 years old and up at 6 1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track. This is an interesting race for a state bred maiden claimer. The older horses look o.k. in here so I’ll have to use Otis Gold and High Investment a little. First time starter Legend of My Own goes for trainer Jeff Mullins, The Wygods bred the horse, but the owner is a real blast from the past. I haven’t seen Allan Booge’s name on a program in many years. He used to win a lot of races at the now defunct Aksarben track in Omaha. If I remember correctly Mr. Booge was from Souix City, Iowa and always had some nice horses. I know he’s a three year old, but I’ll try him on top. Besides, I like the Benchmark horses on synthetic tracks. I’ll throw Warren’s Moonkross in a little bit too dropping out of Maiden Special Weights, he should be a huge price.
The 6th is a $25,000 Claimer for three year old and up non-winners of two at one and one sixteenth miles. Lutyens is stretching out a bit today. I think he’ll like the route. He always makes a big sweeping move on the turn and then hangs in the stretch. He’s appeared to be a head case to me with one win and six 2nd place finishes. I gave up on him winning until he finally broke his maiden. I think there is enough pace in this race for him to run at that he may be the only one around at the wire so he won’t be able to cough up the lead. I’ll use Knighthood and Self Insured with him trying to crush the race with Lutyens on top.
Race 7 is The Long Beach Stakes for fillies and mares four years old and upward which have not won a race other than closed, maiden, claiming, or starter at a mile or over since December 1, 2007 at a mile on the turf course. Mystical Plan is second off the layoff for Doug O’Neill. She appeared to need the last race which may return her to the form of two races back when she was well beaten by Rags to Riches in the Kentucky Oaks. Pretty good company there though. Spenditallbaby will be flying late, as will Wake up Maggie.
The last race is a 4 1/2 furlong sprint for 2 year old Maiden fillies and mares for a claiming price of $40,000 over the Cushion Track. I think Call Ally should win today unless there’s something good in the first timers. I like to speculate on them and will use Gotham Spirit and Virginia Girl a little bit in here.
Good Luck;
Ron
Tags: California Horse Racing, Hollywood Park, Horse race betting, Horse Racing, horse racing odds, Horse Racing results, Preakness Stakes