Thursday’s Hollywood Park Card
Yesterday was an awful day at Hollywood. One $6.60 winner on the day. Fortunately I took my own advice and played cautiously since this is get away week. I’ll probably take it easy most of the week, there are a few situations where I can make a big bet or two over the last four days of the meet. Mainly because I’m going to approach Del Mar with caution next week. I’ve always loved the Del Mar meet but last year’s Polytrack installation nearly ruined it for me, besides nearly ruining me. They are talking about watering the track more this year, but other than that they haven’t made any major changes to what was the slowest track in the North America last year. If it appears it’s going to be the same type of track this year, at least there are some things that are known from last year that will help. It took a good month before I could make a bet with any confidence at Del Mar last year, so if a good opportunity arises the last few days at Hollywood, I’ll jump on it. If not, there are plenty of turf races at Del Mar.
Race 1 is a $25,000 Claimer for three year old fillies at 6 furlongs on the main track. Jeff Mullins sends out Proud Garrison and Havens Lake. Havens Lake is the 7/5 morning line favorite after being the beaten favorite last out for $32,000. Proud Garrison won an $18,000 Claimer last out and moves up to $25,000. If you look at the workouts for July 1, both horses scored a bullet work and probably worked as a team. It looks like Havens Lake backed out of it after half a mile and was clocked in 0:47.0 getting the best of 34 works for that distance on the day, and Proud Garrison went on to finish 5/8th of a mile in 0:59.2 for the best of 34 at that distance. That would have put her right with Havens Lake at the half mile mark, and I’ll go for the longer price in Proud Garrison today. I’ll look for a 1-3 Mullins Exacta and use True Suggestion underneath.
Race 2 is $12,500 Claimer for three year olds at 5 1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track. Peter Miller sends out two in this race, and both of them have a shot in here. There’s another fresh face in the training ranks though. Dean Pederson heads south for the end of the meet, and probably the beginning of Del Mar. He’s got some nice percentages and his horse You Is What You Is has won his last two outs against lesser company. Pederson wins at 28% in sprints, claiming races, and with horses that won their last out, and at 27% on synthetic surfaces. I’ll take a shot with him today. Whatever Whenever continues his slide through the claiming ranks and may be low enough today to get a win after an excellent two year old campaign. He may be spotted right today, and I’ll use Peter Miller’s other horse, Flirting for Love underneath as well.
Race 3 is a $50,000 Maiden Claimer for three year olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track. Quaker Run has been Gelded since his only out as a two year old last year. He’s been on the sidelines since then, but Trainer Adam Kitchingman brings them back winning 30% off the rest, and 32% with Maiden Claimers. I look for a big improvement between the two and three year old season on ones like this that lay off for this long, especially with a trainer who knows how to get them back in shape. Malibu Canyon was in tough against Maiden Special Weights last time out, but didn’t run badly. Distinctive Afleet comes off a layoff too, and goes route to sprint where Ron Ellis wins at 25%.
The 4th is another $12,500 Claimer for three year old and up fillies and mares, non-winners of two at 7 1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track. It looks like it could be a good day for Jeff Mullins. I like No Name Just Game in the 4th today. He was in way over his head last time against Synnin and Grinnin and comes off a little layoff. She hasn’t run particularly well off the layoff before, but Mullins knows how to fix that. I was surprised to see him at 5/2 on the morning line though thinking a lot of people might figure her to need an out. I’ll use Talking to Devon and Tricky Viviana underneath today.
Race 5 is a $40,000 Claimer for three year olds at 6 furlongs on the turf course. I have to take a shot with Rasgado today. This will be his first time on the turf and he’s really well bred for a turf sprint by Five Star Day out of a Dixieland Band mare. I’ll use the two inside horse with him, Our Superstar, and Superfecta.
The sixth is a $50,000 Maiden Claimer for 3 year olds and up at a mile and one sixteenth over the Main Track. Spartan Fortitude gets Blinkers and first time lasix after a decent out last time at this level. Here Comes Buster tries the synthetic track for the first time and may be very tough if he takes to it. I’ll use Royal Seal with them dropping out of Maiden Special Weights and picking up Garrett Gomez to ride.
Race 7 is an Allowance / Optional Claimer for Cal bred fillies three years old and up which have never won $7,500 other than Maiden, Claiming, or Starter, or are in for the $40,000 claiming tag. They’ll go 6 1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track. Here’s another Jeff Mullins horse with a good shot in here today. Lighten Up Rule ran a good one against Barbara’s Love last time out in an Allowance Race. This race looks kind of chalky to me and I’ll use Sensitive Soul 2nd with Exquisite Beauty in the show spot in a staight trifecta.
The 8th race is a $40,000 Maiden Claimer Sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs for Cal bred 2 year olds. Today’s tribute to Jeff Mullins concludes with Coastal Souvinir who he sends out in the last race today. The first time starter is a gelded son of Souvenir Copy, out of a Meadowlake mare that worked a 1:12.2 time for six furlongs late last month and looks to be able to run a little. I’ll use Aquicksting and Gotalotgoing underneath in the last race.
Good Luck;
Ron
Tags: Cal breds, California Horse Racing, Del Mar, Hollywood Park, Horse race betting, Horse Racing, horse racing odds, Horse Racing results, Jeff Mullins