Horse Racing, Hollywood Park, Dec. 4, 2011

Today at Hollywood Park

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 2-year-olds

5 Midnight Con – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; expect Jeff Mullins to heat up.

3 Visible Marq – FTS from Bob Baffert; you’ll have an edge over me in seeing the tote action on the Baffert cull.

Long Shot – 1 Hammer the Bay

Race 2 – 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $52,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Mizdirection – Did not have a fair shake in the Raven Run; she was full of run with no place to go.

2 Silver Rock – Like the turn back in distance from route to sprint; should be closing well in the latter stages.

Long Shot – 1 Bella Swan

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

4 Bobby Zapper – FTS from the Bob Baffert barn has been working up a storm; suspect the tote board will be singing.

5 Twelve Folds – Did everything but win debut in a frustrating defeat; she was nearly 4-lengths clear of third horse.

Long Shot – 6 Assure

Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $18,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up

7 The Hunt Is On – Dead late closer figures to see a rapid early pace; 15 seconds shows he is not big on winning.

3 Warren’s Dr. Yang – Was out of control speed last time and stopped just as quickly; taking the blinkers off here.

Long Shot – 5 Graeme Crackerjack

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $25,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

10 Visual Intensity – Hate the parking lot post, but he appears the fastest horse in the race; must tuck in to save ground.

8 Emperor Stone – Stretches back out around 2-turns after a couple of sprints; figures to sit closer to the pace.

Long Shot – 5 Uzziah

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

5 Almost a Lady – Hard to overlook such an impressive debut win; didn’t beat much, but now has a lot of conditions to win.

7 Cha Cha Latte – Loses Joel Rosario to the chalk; Martin Garcia is a good stand in, will sit midpack and grind late.

Long Shot – 1 Punch Drunk

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 All the Love – Odd race in last when gunned to the lead and collapsed; better suited to suit and finish strong.

7 My Untamed Heart – Tepid chalk exits four turf sprints for synthetics; she has never run over the artificial stuff.

Long Shot – 3 Jaws n’ Paws

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Washington Bridge – Jerry Hollendorfer has an uncoupled entry; this is the longer price, should sit a perfect trip.

7 City to City – Other Hollendorfer filly is just as dangerous; has faced much tougher, albeit on the greensward.

Long Shot – 5 Champagne d’Oro

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

8 Never Shea Never – FTS from the Mike Mitchell barn; he is hotter than hades right now, watch the tote board for clues.

14 Beautiful Strike – Was flattered when Chrissy Contender won next out; parking lot post in an abbreviated sprint.

Long Shot – 3 Gambling Cowgirl

Best Bet – 5 Almost a Lady (race 6)

Hollywood Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/5/$23.20; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.60

Hollywood Park Totals – 245/73/$450.00; Long Shots, 121/12/$124.20; Best Bets, 15/6/$22.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #7 Amazing Spirit (5/2) in race 4 at Turfway Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Expect a Flyer ran out at Fair Grounds. Stats – 184/117/$937.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick