HORSE RACING
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1:20 p.m.
Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $13,000, Claiming $8,000, 4-year-olds and up
Spriggzee – Any parimutuel value in the favorite will come from the rider switch to Almeida; if the horse is good enough, he’ll win.
Pt’s Grey Eagle – Ran evenly in last off the claim by Glatt; big rider change to Talamo, signals intent more than anything.
Long Shot – Fire Crackle
Race 2 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
Berkeley Castle – Logical chalk turned in a big effort in his U.S. debut; Frankel charge figures to move forward off that.
Isipingo – Ground saving post in this 2-turn turf event; will be interesting to see if Baze sends or sits the early part.
Long Shot – Ascari
Race 3 – 6 furlongs, $75,000 Desert Stormer Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Selvatica – May be the shortest priced favorite on the card; has too much early speed for others to keep up, just has to hold on.
Babe Hall – Draw a line thru the poor Sunland stakes try, many possible reasons for failure; may be better as a closing sprinter.
Long Shot – Nossa Cancao
Race 4 – 7 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up
Lord Albion – When you’ve won 13 races lifetime, you deserve a lot of respect; a classy veteran isn’t always a stakes horse.
Forgivable Bob – Was overmatched in last facing $16K claimers, better fit with these; tactical speed to sit a nice trip.
Long Shot – Bright Prediction
Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Flip the Penny – Ran a strong comeback race in last from parking lot post 14; bad post again here, but at least he’ll be tighter.
Nationhood – This is a good race to try and beat the favorite; he has woken up while sliding down the claiming ladder, good fit.
Long Shot – Rowan Charm
Race 6 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $51,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up
Men Only – Showing sharp improvement since claimed by O’Neill; lost to a lone speed in last, figures to see a better pace here.
Heated Rebel – Just missed in last in comeback off a 9-month hiatus; he didn’t appear to be cranked up so he can move forward.
Long Shot – Where’s My Halo
Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Outra Rafaela – Frankel baby ran well in debut, slow early, fast late; been away 5-months, that’s not a problem for this barn.
Minimite – Faced much tougher last summer down at Del Mar; been away 9-months, leap of faith that Hofmans has her ready.
Long Shot – Kaitlyn’s Light
Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $49,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Voracious – Speedball has won twice in open company, now taking on Cal-breds in a first level allowance; chance to blitz these.
One On the House – Tepid chalk is more grinder than dead late closer; chance to sit a mid-pack trip and do his best late.
Long Shot – Spoils of Excess
Race 9 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), $100,000 Will Rogers Handicap, 3-year-olds
Yario – Sharp win down the hillside turf course in U.S. debut; was flattered when Hurry Home Warren won next time out.
Worldly – Cecil has waited a long time for dividends from this import; exploded in the lane and could be any kind of animal.
Long Shot – Silent Soul
Race 10 – 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Turkus Quercus – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; chance to beat a really bad group of horses.
Majestic Game – Showed good speed in last and now is turning back in distance; suspect will be forwardly placed throughout.
Long Shot – Court of Queens
Best Bet – Voracious (race 8)
Hollywood Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/3/$19.40; Long Shots, 6/3/$26.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Hollywood Totals – 295/71/$465.60; Long Shots, 146/18/$209.00; Best Bets, 17/6/$27.20