Hollywood Park graded stakes recap: Saturday July 5, 2008
Five graded stakes highlighted a terrific July 5th card at Hollywood Park, and Azul Leon started the stakes action with a good looking four-length triumph in the Grade 1 Hollywood Juvenile Championship. Doug O’Neill trainee was coming off a layoff and was not facing much, but the son of Lion Heart was much the best under Bejarano. He will likely show up in a graded event or two at Del Mar.
Zenyatta ran her record to 6-6 in the Grade 1 Vanity, although she was not nearly as impressive this time around. She made her customary late run to seize the lead but failed to pull away from gritty synthetic specialist Tough Tiz’s Sis. This was the second time the Baffert trainee gave Zenyatta a bit of a challenge. Silver Z opened up a huge early lead and weakened to 4th. Winning trainer John Sadler remains uncommitted about Zenyatta’s next start.
Diamond Diva came again to nostrilize Ventura in a thrilling renewal of the Grade 2 CashCall Mile. 3-2 fav Lady of Venice rallied to finish a non-threatening 3rd. The winning James Cassidy trainee might run next in the John C. Mabee at Del Mar.
Pure Clan kept her perfect turf record intact with a smart and well-timed off the pace rally under Julien Leparoux in the Grade 1 American Oaks. Great effort by French invader Satan’s Circus to nail down the place at 14-1. The winning Bob Holthus runner might make a return trip to SoCal for the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on August 16th.
Street Boss garnered his 2nd straight stakes tally as he continued his rapid rise in the graded sprint ranks with a sharp off the pace triumph in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap at 7f. This extended sprint distance is not his best, and Bruce Headley’s synthetic lover figures cut back to 6f as he prepares for a possible start in the Grade 1 BC Sprint in October.
Tags: , Azul Leon, Diamond Diva, Hollywood Park, Saturday July 5 2008, ZenyattaRelated Stories
POSTED IN: California Racing, Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Synthetic Tracks, Trainers
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