Thursday’s Hollywood Card
I had a better day at Hollywood Park yesterday thanks to a couple of decent price winners in Jungle Wave ($16.80) and Lutyens ($10.60). Call Aly also won but only paid ($3.40). We also should have had the exacta in the 4th with Peace Accord and Run Forest Run. Let’s see if we can string two in a row together.
Race 1 is a $20,000 Claimer for fillies and mares 4 years old and up at a mile and one sixteenth over the Cushion Track. Fargo’s Legacy looks like a cinch in here. I agree with the old adage as many do, that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. I still like Fargo’s Legacy in this one. Bahia Rosa takes a steep drop in class, and she may be where she belongs today. Formal Rush takes a slight drop and has a shot in here as well.
The second race is a $50,000 Maiden Claimer for 3 year olds and up at 6 furlongs over the Cushion Track. There are some equipment changes of note in this race. King Kang gets the blinkers off, and Jammy Jon and He’s My Dessert have both been gelded since their last start. Texas Devil was the beaten favorite in a $75,000 Claimer last time out and was beaten by Jungle Wave who came back to win yesterday fairly easily in an Allowance / Optional Claimer for $80,000. He gets lasix for the first time, and I think he completes what looks like an easy Daily Double to me. I’ll use King Kang and Jammie Jon Underneath.
The 3rd race is a Maiden Special Weights event for 2 year old fillies going 4 1/2 furlongs on the Cushion Track. When David LaCroix and Joe Talamo get together there is usually some money to be made. Meetyouatyogi’s doesn’t look that impressive but trainer LaCroix wins at 29% with Maiden Special Weights and 25% with first time starters. Cosmic Queen is a well bred, and expensive filly. A $320,000 price tag should guarantee you get a win, but it doesn’t. I’ll use her with Locky Losty.
Race 4 is a Maiden Claimer for a $25,000 tag for 3 year old and up fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs over the main track. Little Brenda drops in class a little and I like her a little bit today. I’ll use Armeanian Dancer and Jeanie’s Game with her.
The 5th Race is an Allowance / Optional Claimer for $25,000 for Cal Bred fillies and mares 3 years old and up at a mile and one sixteenth over the turf course. Sherry’s High just missed in a little stake race last out. She’s been on the grass once and didn’t run her best, but got beat by a good one in Bel Air Sizzle, and had a little traffic problem in that race. Dine at Nine has won her last two and is 1 for 1 on the grass. She’s moving up in class a little and may be in the right spot. Princess Integrity ran a nice one last out on the grass to give Iggy Puglisi his first win in a while. I’d like to see her run good and maybe give Iggy another win so I’ll box these three.
Race 6 is an Allowance / Optional Claimer for fillies and mares 4 years old and up which have never won $7,500 three times or have never won 4 races, or have not won a race since July 15, 2007, or are in for the $80,000 claiming tag. They’ll go seven furlongs over the Cushion Track today. Brendolyn seems to like Hollywood Park quite a bit, but he may have peaked and I’m afraid the $80,000 tag is a little much for him. I think he’ll light the board, but on a synthetic track I’ll pass on him for the win. That leaves me with Petite Cherie who got a win in her only start on the Cushion Track at Santa Anita last out. I’ll use Political Web with trainer Julio Canani’s 28% win percentage off the layoff, and 33% going turf to synthetic track.
The seventh is a Starter Allowance for 3 year olds and up which have broken their maidens for $40,000 or less, and have never won two races. The race will be contested at a mile and one sixteenth over the turf course. Anzisong broke his maiden against state breds, but they were older horses. He’s been sprinting lately, but used to run decent in route races at the Maiden Special Weights level. He stretches out today and I’ll go with him on top. I’ll leave the morning line favorite Umber out because his only big race was in the slop, and he’s well bred for it. It won’t be sloppy today so I look for a vulnerable favorite to get beat. He’s also well bred for the turf, but didn’t take to it last out. To try to find some value, I’ll use Hebesmallbutmighty and Wellnessfast with Anzisong in here.
The last is a Maiden Claimer for $25,000 fillies and mares 3 years old and up at 5 1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track. Avada Kedava drops in from $75,000 claiming and looks to be at the right level now and gets blinkers today. Warren’s Cookie also gets blinkers and I’ll use her as well. I’ll use Square Genius underneath as well.
Good Luck;
Ron
Tags: Hollywood Park, Horse race handicapping, Horse Racing, Horse Racing results, horse-racing-entries, the-preakness