HORSE RACING

[Lumi]

HORSE RACING
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 7 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Inspiration Within - Big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano; outstanding Hollywood mark with 10-of-11 in the money finishes.

Blame the Wine - Big class rise off a dead game victory; has won a very creditable 7-of-13 synthetic surface starts.

Long Shot - Victory Dancer

Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

South of France - With multiple speed horses dueling, she could see a perfect trip; will rally fast under Joel Rosario.

Silent Stalk - One among many speedballs in here; big class drop and gets a nice speed rider in Felipe Valdez.

Long Shot - Bettyboomboom

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Fair Chase - Flattered when Crisis of Spirit won next out; she appears to be sitting on a big graduation victory.

Lady Adelle - Trainer John Sadler has an uncoupled entry; this is the longer odds price and has Joel Rosario up.

Long Shot - Stoic Angel

Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $40,000, Allowance, 2-year-olds

Privilaged - Small edge in a harder than looks race; broke his MSW under Joel Rosario three races back.

Ranger Heartley - It only seems like John Sadler has a pair of starters in every race; like the turn back in distance.

Long Shot - Dream Nettie

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Flyingfinformation - Just missed last time facing these friendly foes; her race two back, if repeated, crushes these.

Stylin Deputy - This pick is for forgiving handicappers; her last was a debacle, but previous tries could upset.

Long Shot - Lisianski

Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $42,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Deal Breaker - Claimed by Jeff Mullins, don't expect him to be offered for a price tag any time soon; Bejarano remains loyal.

Spurrier - Useful sort now is eligible for starter allowance $32K conditions; will sit a trip and grind it out late.

Long Shot - I'll Show Them

Race 7 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Grant Marty Adream - Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; Rafael Bejarano sticks around for a reason.

Miss Wined Up - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not me much to compete.

Long Shot - Frequent Fame

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Pinkarella - Speedball has been away since March; exits graded stakes, much easier task in a first level allowance.

Red Tomatoes - Dead late closer could see a positive race shape; Garrett Gomez will sit in arrears and make one run.

Long Shot - Via Veneto

Race 9 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), $300,000 Citation Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

Cowboy Cal - He is the ultimate grinder; was overmatched in the BC Mile, but his prior races point him out today.

Ever a Friend - Got a nice prep for this off a 18-month hiatus; appeared not to squeeze the lemon in winning return.

Long Shot - Proudinsky

Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Ridemetothemoon - Like the turn back in distance and off the turf angles; should be grinding late under Rafael Bejarano.

Bye Bye Hollywood - Not the fastest horse, but the kind that competes; tactical speed to sit a trip and grind late.

Long Shot - Little Dodger

Best Bet - Flyingfinformation (race 5)

Hollywood Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/2/$8.20; Long Shots, 8/4/$32.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Totals - 161/40/$249.40; Long Shots, 82/12/$119.60; Best Bets, 9/3/$11.80

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #1 Fitzaslew (9/2) in race 10 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Sorority Sister scratched at Aqueduct. Stats - 174/125/$962.80

 

[Lumi]

RICHARD ENG: Southern Cal's meager purses can't compete

RICHARD ENG: Southern Cal's meager purses can't compete

RICHARD ENG: Southern Cal's meager purses can't compete

The Daily Racing Form last month ran a small news item about top trainer Doug O'Neill sending 11 horses to Philadelphia Park to race. Jockey Saul Arias was moving his tack there to ride first call for O'Neill.

On the surface, it's no big deal. But look much closer and it's news that should chill the spine of every racing official in Southern California.

O'Neill's decision is affecting two racing circuits and might be a sign of things to come. The 11 horses O'Neill shipped east are the kind that officials at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita desperately need to fill race fields.

At Philadelphia Park, his horses are adding class and substance to full fields. O'Neill has won three of 11 starts and made the money four other times. And he's earning more money because the slot machine-fueled purses are a lot higher than in Southern California.

Here are a few examples comparing purses of six-furlong sprints at Hollywood and Philadelphia: A basic claiming race for $10,000 horses at Hollywood carries an $11,000 purse. A $16,000 claiming race has a purse of $14,000, and a first-level allowance race has a $38,000 purse.

At Philadelphia, a $5,000 claimer for nonwinners of a race in one-year condition has a purse of $18,000. The winner's 60 percent share is $10,800, more than double the price of the horse. A claiming $10,000 for nonwinners of three races lifetime has a $24,000 purse. A claiming $35,000 purse is $39,000, more than the supposedly classier Hollywood allowance.

Who can blame O'Neill for shipping the 11 horses to Philly?

Now I wouldn't ship Zenyatta to race at Philadelphia or Penn National. But California claiming horses can earn 50 percent to 75 percent more purse money while racing in easier conditions.

The situation figures only to get worse for Southern California, where higher purses must become a priority for 2010.

? HORSE OF YEAR ODDS -- John Avello, race and sports director at Wynn Las Vegas, posted these odds to win 2009 Horse of the Year: Zenyatta 1-3, Rachel Alexandra 5-2, Summer Bird 20-1, Goldikova 75-1 and Conduit 100-1.

? SAM'S TOWN -- Sam's Town is hosting a one-day qualifier Thursday for the 2010 Horseplayer World Series. The top five finishers will earn a berth in the HWS. Entry fee is $100.

 

[Lumi]

At the Gate - Friday

At the Gate - Friday

At the Gate - Friday


Friday?s Aqueduct report was handicapped Tryptophan free, as I am getting ready to head off to Thanksgiving dinner as I write this.



However, I was feeling a bit woozy this morning as my wife was doing some early Thanksgiving morning cooking to take a few dishes over to the in-laws.



As post time for the opener at the Big A approached, smoke filled the house, apparently coming from a flaming Rutabaga in the oven.



To be honest, I had to check out Wikipedia just to figure out how to spell rutabaga. On fire and smoking, it smells like a very cheap candle.

I?m guessing it tastes about the same.



The Racing Gods did look down on me on Thanksgiving Day, at least for one race.



My wife made a Thanksgiving dinner for the neighbors dog, which seems neglected and underfed. I went out to give him his dinner, and lost track of time.



I got back to the computer as they were loading in the gate for the fourth race. It looked futile that I would get a bet in, but I sneaked my wager in just before they left the gate.



Good Karma got home first ($14.40) as my top pick and longshot Really Somebody completed a recommended exacta that returned $209.00 and we knocked down the trifecta that paid $605.50 for $1.



Do something nice and I guess ?good karma? really will come your way.



I?ll feed the dog again today just before the early double at Aqueduct jut to be on the safe side.





Here is today's opening race from Aqueduct to get our day off to a good start:



AQU Race 1 Clm $16,000N1Y (12:00 ET)

#8 Raynicks Fan 4/1

#7 Champagne Brunch 7/2

#3 Crown Point 5/1

#5 Ballast 3/1



Analysis: #8 Raynicks Fan gets the call and I'll take a stab we are off the grass here as there is rain in the forecast, and the turf was already yielding yesterday. The gelding had a tough post last out, prompted the early pace and weakened late to finish third, beaten just 3/4 of a length for the top spot. That effort came against open $16K foes and he drops in here for the same tag while facing non-winners of a race in six months. The gelding did not fire over a wet track two back at the Big M but that was against tougher.



#7 Champagne Brunch is also dropping out of open company after a pair of runner up finishes behind a sharp Bon Marie. The seven-year-old gelding owns the top last out speed fig with his good late run. Two back this guy opened up a huge lead, up ten lengths before getting passed late and landing second. It will be interesting to see what Lezcano decides to do with him here, likely to get a good tracking trip just off the pace. He looks like a major threat in here and his price will probably be shorter than the 7/2 ML. He owns a win over a wet track in two tries.



Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 7,8 / 3,5,7,8

TRI: 7,8 / 3,5,7,8 / 2,3,5,7,8



Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:



AQU Race 9 Top Flight Hcp G2 (3:38 ET)

#6 Spritely 4/1

#1 Skylighter / #1a Sara Louise 6/5

#8 Justwhistledixie 5/2

#7 Porte Bonheur 8/1



Analysis: #6 Spritely was a sharp winner of the ungraded Quick Mischief last out at Belmont Park and has now landed in the money in 14 of her 15 career starts. The runner up in that race was Sea Chanter, who came back to win the restricted Sabin in her next start on Nov. 12 here. She has handled a wet track and the one turn mile looks like it will suit her just fine. She is likely going to be the third choice in here, so we should catch a fair price.



#1a Sara Louise checked in fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly % Mare Sprint. She had to steady slightly while under a hold at the half-mile pole and did not have enough punch in the stretch. We saw dirt horses not fare too well over the two-day Breeders' Cup, so she figures to bounce back here. She won the Victory Ride (G3) over a sloppy track and a one-turn mile seems well within her scope. She is going to be ultra tough here but I am expecting to see 4/5 on the tote.



#8 Justwhistledixie is making her first start since June for the Mott barn that is 22% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff. She reeled off five wins in a row before coming up short last out in a runner up finish in the Acorn (G1). She is bred to like a wet track and her lone off track try came in her debut where she checked in third. McLaughlin cut ties with a few barns and West Point moves her to the hall of fame trainer Mott.



Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 1,6 / 1,6,7,8

TRI: 1,6 / 1,6,7,8 / 1,4,6,7,8



Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.



Aqueduct

R5: #5 Magnification 10/1

R5: #6 Sensationalist 8/1

R6: #10 You Bet I?m Ready 8/1

R6: #9 Verveitup 10/1

R7: #6 Silvercup Baby 8/1

R8: #10 Smart Trade 8/1

R9: #7 Porte Bonheur 8/1



Good luck today!

 

[Lumi]

HOLLYWOOD PARK Todays Race Card

 

[Lumi]

Dave Litfin Aqueduct

Dave Litfin Aqueduct

Dave Litfin

BEST BET: Sara Louise (9th race)


First Race


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1. Champagne Brunch 2. Crown Point 3. Vettriano

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The nine horses entered for turf are a combined 3 for 71 this year, and CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH has two of those victories; good tries from on and off the pace recently vs. the hard-knocker Bon Marie. CROWN POINT is just 3 for 47 lifetime, but has money chances based on late-rallying effort behind VETTRIANO last out; note that if rain forces a switch to dirt, Crown Point was graded stakes-placed earlier in his career on fast and sloppy tracks.

Second Race


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1. Freedom Flag 2. Pearly Blue 3. Chimayo

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FREEDOM FLAG might be ready for a forward move after Beyer pair-up to begin career, and might also find herself on a clear early lead given the lack of speed in this short field; bred for wet. PEARLY BLUE has been inching ahead on the numbers in her last two starts while racing wide; someone has to improve to beat her if she runs back to Nov. 1 effort. CHIMAYO has been a disappointment so far considering $3.1 million price tag, but is not easily eliminated off a close second at Belmont two back; worked well last week.

Third Race


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1. Carbonite 2. Laysh Laysh Laysh 3. Dr. W

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CARBONITE has improved in three starts since getting off synthetic tracks; drops to an easier spot after late run for third in $250k stake vs. Pashito the Che (6 for 8 for Scott Lake) and Custom for Carlos ($58k stakes winner at Churchill last week). LAYSH LAYSH LAYSH ran back to his best previous figure winning first off the claim; may keep the exacta in the Dutrow family, particularly if he catches another wet track. DR. W stretches back to 7fs, where he posted best figure in '08, and again this year; prefer on fast track.

Fourth Race


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1. Four Star General 2. Captain Sword 3. May Day Now

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FOUR STAR GENERAL makes his third start back from a layoff, and drops from allowance ranks after arguing the pace in mud and slop; likely to shake loose in this softer spot. CAPTAIN SWORD was a last-to-first winner at even money the last time he was lowered into a restricted claimer; back quickly picking up leading apprentice. MAY DAY NOW fought gamely between horses to edge away late from GOLDEN CAESAR in the slop 13 days ago; better on a fast track.

Fifth Race


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1. City Wolf 2. Magnification 3. Brake Lights

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CITY WOLF, a half-brother to Ghostzapper and City Zip, was involved in the pace and saved the place in debut; continues to train well, under the gun from rail in first start for Todd Pletcher. MAGNIFICATION showed considerable improvement with blinkers on second time out, rallying to a short lead in midstretch before giving way. BRAKE LIGHTS and DESERT LORD (a half to Matron Stakes winner Marylebone and $214k earner Unigold) appear to have trained in tandem on several dates recently, capped by gate drill last week.

Sixth Race


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1. Captain Booyah 2. Verveitup 3. Chaysen' Alex

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CAPTAIN BOOYAH hasn't been able to get it done, surrendering two more leads since brought back from an extended absence, but might forget to stop against this field. VERVEITUP makes the third start of his form cycle, and takes a 50% price cut; viable alternative to the top pick in view of trainer's 11-for-23 record going turf to dirt 2008-09. CHAYSEN' ALEX has worked sparingly for first start since early May, but his typical race gets a piece of this with a late run.

Seventh Race


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1. Hold That Prospect 2. Sneaky Girl 3. Don'tgetsuspicious

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HOLD THAT PROSPECT returned from a freshening to wire some of these in the mud opening week, running her record to 7 for 12 at the distance; held good form through several races earlier in the year. SNEAKY GIRL paired up new top Beyers in the mud when returned from a short layoff in October, including a game placing to the choice; six-time runner-up this season is a must-use in exactas. DON'TGETSUSPICIOUS stretches out after beginning current form cycle in 5f off-the-turf stakes at the Meadowlands; has some good figures to run back to.

Eighth Race


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1. Persistently 2. Boxitup 3. Cades Bay

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If rain forces a switch to dirt, PERSISTENTLY finished strongly first time out in nearly seven months, is back in 12 days and is likely to relish stretching back out to a mile. On turf, BOXITUP is still relatively fresh with only three starts this year, and indeed looks to be rounding back to top form; handles rain-softened footing. CADES BAY lit up the toteboard winning her turf debut off a layoff; good try from post 11 in her first allowance attempt.

Ninth Race


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1. Sara Louise 2. Spritely 3. Porte Bonheur

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SARA LOUISE ran a couple of fast races on sloppy and fast tracks off a nine-month layoff, winning the Victory Ride and fighting Indian Blessing tooth and nail through stretch of the Gallant Bloom; tough set-up in slow-paced BC F&M Sprint when tried on Pro-Ride, bullet work back at Belmont shortly afterward. SPRITELY has been pointed to this ever since competitive efforts in Go for Wand and Molly Pitcher; sharp running down stablemate Sea Chanter last out, capable of grabbing lead if no one else is sent. PORTE BONHEUR nosed Spritely in shorter First Flight back in June, but has yet to get back to 3YO Beyer top winning '08 Victory Ride; tries a mile.

Tenth Race


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1. Long Jump 2. Tire Kicker 3. Stroll for Acure

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If the nightcap is switched to dirt, LONG JUMP drops to a new low after chasing Stevil, who was in midst of three-race win streak; slight edge over TAR BEACH, who boasts figures virtually identical to Long Jump's on fast and wet tracks. On turf, TIRE KICKER goes in a claimer for the first time and moves to a more favorable post after a series of outside draws this year; Mark Hennig has saddled three longshot grass winners at the meet. STROLL FOR ACURE has been in the money three of four starts vs. restricted claimers including a couple of close seconds; his figures on firm and yielding ground are basically the same. CHINESE WHISPER, second best in five of his last six outings, figures close along with VICTORY MARCH in a wide-open event.

 

[Lumi]

Post experts pick the winners

Post experts pick the winners

Post experts pick the winners

 

[Lumi]

Aqueduct Analysis

Aqueduct Analysis

Aqueduct Analysis

 

[Lumi]

Through the binocs

Through the binocs

Through the binocs

Under a stellar ride by Jose Lezcano, Philly Park shipper Cherokee Country took advantage of a blistering pace duel to win Aqueduct's traditional Thanksgiving Day feature, the 96th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Fall Highweight, at 12-1. After breaking from the far outside post 10, the 5-year-old son of Yonaguska, trained by Ramon Preciado, angled in to save ground, sat off the fast fractions 21.80, :44.31) to be eighth at the top of the stretch, then tipped outside and finished full of run to outfinish 6-1 Greenspring rallying up the rail.



Godolphin Stable's 3-year-old filly Sara Louise, the last horse to beat Rachel Alexandra (in the Nov. 1, 2008, Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs), heads a field of nine going a mile in today's Grade 2, $150,000 Top Flight Handicap at the Big A. Last out, in her first race over a synthetic surface, Sara Louise ran fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. The main danger, making her first start since finishing second as the odds-on favorite in the June 6 Acorn, is West Point Stable's Justwhistledixie, now in Bill Mott's barn after being trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.
* First post today and tomorrow is 12 noon. Tomorrow's HolidayFest card features the Grade 1 Cigar Mile and Gazelle and Grade 2 Remsen and Demoiselle.
FIRST RACE: Surprised Elena's Princess didn't win this by more than 1? lengths. Going mile-and-sixteenth on turf, Tempest Storm, 2-1 favorite coupled with Debbie's Fast Girl for Gary Contessa, set pace under Gabriel Saez, tracked by 7-2 Elena's Princess, who was under a hammerlock hold down the backside by Eddie Castro. Around the turn, Elena's Princess dragged Castro to engage Tempest Storm for lead (through six furlongs posted in 1:15.58), and those two dueled to mid-stretch, when Elena's Princess took command to post her third win in three starts over the Big A lawn.
SECOND RACE: Gary Gullo's Press Only, who flashed speed, tired badly to be beaten 19 lengths for 12.5G tag last out, dropped in for 7.5G and was the easiest kind of winner. He set pace under Jose Bermudez pressed by Bullara, put him away turning for home and drew clear. Commissioner Chris, Maylan Studart up, rallied through tight quarters up the rail to get second.
FOURTH RACE: Pair of Hall-of-Famers teamed up to win this 20G maiden claimer with 6-1 Good Karma. Sixth and seventh in his first two starts for "Pancho" Martin, Good Karma, Edgar Prado up, tucked inside behind three-way speed duel between Really Somebody, Eddie's Point and Sweet On Bernice, swung off rail top of stretch, split horses rallying to take command in final furlong. Talking Blues, terribly overbet at 1-2 after finishing second in three of his first six starts, tracked pace outside under Jean-Luc Samyn, was wide turning for home, finished fifth in four-horse photo for second.
SEVENTH RACE: Few horses seemed sounder than Gary Sciacca's Tobruk, NY-bred 5-year-old gelding with 34 starts under his belt, 26 of those on turf. But his 35th proved to be one too many. Heading into the clubhouse turn of this grass race, Tobruk was pulled up by Angel Serpa after breaking down in his right hind leg. He was euthanized on-track.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 4-1-7-10-9-1
Winners (6 of 6) each receives $95,496
Consolation (5 of 6) paid $1,140
No carryover