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Hollywood Park news and notes (11-28-08): Turf Festival

by Jarrod Horak on November 27th, 2008

Thursday (11-27-08) Hollywood Park recap

Cushion Track played fair with a trio of 8.5 furlong wire jobs.

Garrett Gomez booted home a pair, and Marcelo Polanco saddled two winners on the Thanksgiving Day card.

Nice confidence boosting maiden win for Oro Blanco in the opener. She has been competitive versus winners and will likely return to the stakes ranks shortly. Nice comeback win for Bsharpsonata in the Playa del Rey. That was her first start for Pletcher, and bigger things are on the horizon. Prompt fav Slew’s Tiznow easily captured the War Chant for Bejarano/O’Neill.

Friday (11-28-08) Hollywood Park preview

Friday’s 10-race card kicks off the 3-day turf festival and features the Grade 3 Miesque (race 6) & Grade 1 Citation (race 8).

There is a Pick 6 carryover of $79,919 (races 5-10), and a Super High 5 carryover of $46,270 (race 10).

The Grade 3 Miesque is my MySpace free selection of the day.

The 8th race, the Grade 1 Citation Handicap, is featured below.

Hollywood Park race 8 (Grade 1 Citation Handicap, 3up, 8.5T)

(1) Hyperbaric (3-1) - Owns fine early/pressing speed. Consistent gelding shoots for four straight wins.

(2) Galantas (20-1) - Tactical speed and graded stakes placed.

(3) Ferneley (12-1) - Exits sharp optional claiming score. Flopped in both US graded tries.

(4) Lord Admiral (12-1) - Late running 7yo horse has failed in last two US starts.

(5) Becrux (20-1) - Got back on beam for new trainer Sadler over synthetic. Has back class but is not fond of this turf course.

(6) Rebellion (6-1) - Late runner exits 2nd in BC Dirt Mile. Seems most effective around one turn.

(7) Medici Code (15-1) - Exits much needed allowance prep. Appears best at Del Mar.

(8) Proudinsky (6-1) - Tailed off in last pair. 3rd in softer edition of this race last year.

(9) Whatsthescript (5-2) - 3rd in Breeders’ Cup Mile (YouTube replay below). Packs strong late kick.

(10) Formal Decree (9-2) - Exits sharp graded Belmont win. Versatile and dangerous.

Analysis: There is not a ton of pace in the paper race, and sharp New York invader Formal Decree might take it to these from the outset. He looked good in latest score, and place finisher Strike A Deal came back to win a graded event. Hyperbaric always runs his race and should sit a great ground saving tracking trip. Whatsthescript is the one to fear late, along with Rebellion.

The $20 Play:
$14 to win Formal Decree
$6 quinella Hyperbaric/Formal Decree

Daily Wager recap

Thursday (11-27-08): Did not have Bsharpsonata in the co-feature.

Overall: (-126.40) through 22 days of the Hollywood Park fall meet.

Hyperbaric Photo Credit:Newscom

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POSTED IN: California Racing, Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Synthetic Tracks, Trainers