Horse Racing: Today at Hollywood Park, May 25

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 4 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

8 Divine Way – Was a 4/5 favorite in career debut; had issues on the turn, hurts in an abbreviated sprint.

1 Sprague River – FTS from Scott Hansen; been working well and gets solid gate rider in Tyler Baze.

Long Shot – 7 Time for a Memory

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Mary Contrary – Claimed two races ago by Mike Mitchell; ran poorly in last, now drops in class but should improve.

2 Warrens Venedalucy – Has run two sharp races in a row since dropping to this level; these are clearly her friends.

Long Shot – 3 Halfaponderosa

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), $150,000 American Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

2 Obviously – Set ridiculous fast fractions in the San Simeon; did a nice imitation of Palace Malice.

6 Drill – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; we’ll see if he has a new career on grass.

Long Shot – 5 Racing Aptitude

Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

2 Smokin’ Bernie – More Bob Baffert love, another uncoupled entry; this one gets Rafael Bejarano up.

5 Fly High – Bob Baffert taking the blinkers off; huge rider upgrade to Martin Garcia.

Long Shot – 3 Blue Tone

Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $40,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Midnight Crooner – Hard to improve on a Bob Baffert cull; claimed by Mark Glatt, this one does have ability.

2 Stoney Fleece – Big equipment change, first time gelding; coupled with big class drop, has a puncher’s chance.

Long Shot – 4 Tiz Point

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

5 Awesome Indy – Tough trip in return from a year hiatus; can’t do any worse, figures to do a lot better.

8 Red Tesla – Sleeper useful horse for Bob Baffert; will specialize in 1-turn racing.

Long Shot – 3 Raised a Secret

Race 7 – 7 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds

3 Stylish In Black – Was flattered when Warren’s Veneda won next time out; may be her turn tonight.

5 Mia Lady – Gave a solid account of herself in career debut; exits a bullet work and should improve some.

Long Shot – 4 Sidepocket Run

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $57,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

3 Cogito – Cuts back from a marathon run for this relative mile sprint; gets class relief from two grade 1s for this.

9 Ivanho – Claimed by Mark Glatt from Mike Mitchell, another difficult trainer to improve upon; just hope for a repeater.

Long Shot – 7 Willyconker

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

9 Brown Boss – Been away 7-months off a couple of good races; edge in a race full of slowpokes.

5 Keep Movin’ – FTS from Bruce Headley; he’s off to a terrific start this meet with 3 wins from 7 starts.

Long Shot – 2 Jimmy the Whip

Best Bet – 2 Obviously (race 3)

Hollywood Park Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$41.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$8.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$14.80

Hollywood Park Totals – 301/80/$515.40; Long Shots, 144/19/$200.80; Best Bets, 17/4/$23.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #7 Bargain Blitz (4/1) in race 5 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Hoorayforhollywood ran out at Churchill Downs. Stats – 83/55/$409.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick