Today at Hollywood Park: Nov. 9, 2013

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK by Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Sugar Spice – Mare looks like the speed of the speed to me; Victor Espinoza figures to play catch me if you can in here.

2 Inner Groove – If any horse can win from off the pace, it’s her; Rafael Bejarano curiously rides after 2 horrendous efforts.

Long Shot – 7 Rossi Reserve

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 2-year-olds

4 Echo Zulu – He gets class relief for the hot Peter Miller barn; he’s been a big story this year with consistent success.

7 Heyyoucan – He was on the vets list on Oct. 18; has worked thrice since, but doesn’t give me the utmost of confidence.

Long Shot – 3 Takem by Surprise

Race 3 – 7 furlongs, $100,000 Hollywood Prevue, 2-year-olds

2 Shared Belief – Private purchase for Jim Rome’s Jungle Racing et al; pedigree to win this, go long too, KY Derby prospect?

4 Kobe’s Back – Memory of his debut win are still strong; has had shins all summer, missing the BC, but has a high ceiling.

Long Shot – 1 Papa Turf

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $42,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Fantastic Mizz – Claimed by Jack Carava and spotted nicely to win first out; taken from John Shirreffs so she was well tended.

3 Ricspretentiousgal – Checked early last time in first race off the claim by John Sadler; drops in class, adds Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot – 1 English Crossing

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

10 She’s a Go Girl – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career low class; tactical speed to lead or follow close up.

4 Tribal Peace – Martin Pedroza for Rafael Bejarano, but I still think she’s live; should offer more value with jock switch.

Long Shot – 5 Anita Marie

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Shrilanka – Ran like a short horse off a year layoff, slow early, quick late; figures to improve for Richard Mandella.

1 Serene Melody – Solid second in last and was flattered when the winner won right back; saves all the ground from the rail.

Long Shot – 9 Majestic Minister

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

6 Chief Lion – Speedy sort has run two good thirds in a row; has given it up late so we’ll see if the gumption is there today.

5 Forest Boy – Two of his sprints with blinkers on have been very good seconds; Corey Nakatani sits and makes one big brush.

Long Shot – 7 The Cleaners

Race 8 – 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $52,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Miss Lucky Sevens – Rafael Bejarano could have a banner day, number of wins that is; saves ground and carves out a trip.

8 Blues and Silvers – Speed to overcome an onerous parking lot post; Inglewood turf sprints have a sharp elbow turn early on.

Long Shot – 5 Birdlover

Race 9 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

11 Swissarella – Taking the biggest class in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; has run races fast enough to upset these.

9 Lady of the Nile – Bob Baffert cull figures to get way overbet; well bet, but showed very little in her career debut.

Long Shot – 10 Spirit of Ten

Best Bet – 2 Shared Belief (race 3)

Hollywood Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/5/$26.20; Long Shots, 9/1/$17.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Park Totals – 48/12/$69.40; Long Shots, 24/5/$51.20; Best Bets, 3/1/$4.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #1 Divine Luck (6/1) in race 5 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Watsdachances won at Aqueduct paying $4.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.30 to show. Stats – 175/117/$961.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick