Today at Hollywood Park, May 27
TODAY AT hollywood PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1 p.m.
Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Me Likey Mikey – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low class; has run races fast enough to beat these.
1 Crestatorre – After two close call thirds, facing an easier group tonight; can save all the ground inside.
Long Shot – 3 Magic Castle
Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Hard Rockin Girl – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Doug O’Neill has a few live shots today.
7 Miz Wounded Knee – Another sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this bottom rung; Kristin Mulhall takes over today.
Long Shot – 10 Rosa Divina
Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $57,000, Optional claiming 462,500, 3-year-olds and up
3 Points Offthebench – This 4-YO is not that far off from being unbeaten; remains to be seen where his ceiling is.
4 Italian Rules – Ran big first off the claim by John Sadler; easy to envision another solid effort tonight.
Long Shot – 1 Cyclometer
Race 4 – 6 furlongs, $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
7 Apriority – Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this one can sit back and pick up the pieces late.
2 Fast Bullet – This one figures to do all the dirty work dueling with the chalk; still may be good enough to lead all the way.
Long Shot – 3 Comma to the Top
Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
3 Mambo Man – Has shown gradual improvement with each start; this may be his break through race tonight.
12 Just Fishin – Not big on the parking lot post, but has shown good ability; has speed to grab position early.
Long Shot – 5 Corinthian’s Song
Race 6 – 7 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Nextdoorneighbor – Adam Kitchingman has been the story of the meet; his horses are like rocket ships leaving the starting gate.
4 Iron Joe T – Tepid chalk in a very interesting field; first race off the claim by Jack Carava.
Long Shot – 3 Mensa Heat
Race 7 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Tamarack Smarty – Mike Mitchell claim ran a better than looked race in the Super Bowl; chance to fly home and get the bacon.
6 Arraignment – Claimed by John Sadler and sure to get overlooked; like that he is 2-for-3 wins at a mile turf distance.
Long Shot – 3 Fear the Beard
Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up
5 Super Ability – Is on a roll and we’ll see where it stops; like the subtle cut back in distance too.
7 Real Conundrum – Did everything but win last time in a desperate effort; no early speed, will be flying home late.
Long Shot – 6 Wall Dance
Race 9 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), $250,000 Gamely, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
7 Marketing Mix – Tiny edge in an outstanding match-up; the top three are all good enough to be in the Breeders Cup this fall.
6 Lady of Shamrock – Got lucky in last when inherited a shaky win in the Santa Barbara; the barn is expecting more from her.
Long Shot – 2 Tiz Flirtatious
Race 10 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
2 Devious Chic – Taking a huge class drop to face a much easier task; Doug O’Neill taking the blinkers off.
6 Tap Tap Ur It – Must respect a claim proof horse in the return; barn has pointed to this race to win while being protected.
Long Shot – 14 Rosies Rascal
Best Bet – 7 Nextdoorneighbor (race 6)
Hollywood Park Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/6/$36.00; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00
Hollywood Park Totals – 336/88/$559.20; Long Shots, 162/20/$216.80; Best Bets, 19/6/$29.40
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #9 Fed Biz (15/1) in race 10 at Belmont Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Read the Research ran out at Belmont Park. Stats – 85/55/$409.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick
