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Hollywood Park race recap (May 30-31); Smooth Air in Ohio Derby romp

by Jarrod Horak on May 31st, 2008

Hollywood Park Friday night (5-30-08)

Race 1: Sir Chimi broke a bit slow from the rail and was used more than expected to get the lead. He weakened (4th) in the lane from his early efforts and could go better stalking with a better post next out. Canani dropper Celtic Sword was along in time. Bewitching Bartok had the right post/trip, but he could only manage 3rd for a good layoff barn…still hasn’t won since July ‘06.

Race 2: Look Deep was sent to the lead in this compact turf sprint, but he never looked like a winner and faded to 3rd. Ellis fav Squeeze Me Tight held off Runforthemoneybaby in 1:09.21.

Race 3: True Suggestion ($25.80) was stretching out off a maiden claiming extended sprint win, and he did not need to improve much to down these. Vegas Runner (5th) was just starting his run on the backside when Forgiveandforget was stopping, and he was one-paced after that.

Race 4: Jose Delima is having a fine meet, and he struck for the 3rd time (10 starts) with Msty Aly. 2nd lasix and a bullet since her last were the angles.

Race 5: Cost of Freedom (3rd) looked like the controlling speed on paper, but Valiant Effort was aggressive early and just lasted over Baffert comebacker and extended sprint specialist Cherokee Tear. The show finisher may have regressed off a career top in a state bred stakes event.

Race 6: Stomp Dance was best 2nd off the Melody Conlon claim. Campos is a competent apprentice rider.

Race 7: A pair exiting grass routes turned back and were heads apart in this six furlong turfer. De Car Guy caught Tribal Mischief on the line, with pacesetter Kbello 3rd.

Race 8: Pure Refinement by a half over Alotta Wild and Absolutely Smitten in the maiden claiming finale. Serpetineserpetine (5th) flashed improved early foot 2nd time out. Fav Cinderella Ella was a disappointing 4th. Two-day Pick 6 carryover heading into Saturday.

Hollywood Park Saturday (5-31-08)

Race 1: Discover Dolly ($32.80) was not far fetched stretching out versus suspect foes. Afternoon Gold (5th) moved too soon under Delgadillo.

Race 2: Squeeze Me Tight was beaten by Starry Pursuit last out. The former returned to win Friday’s 2nd, and the latter nabbed today’s 2nd by less than a length over Pedroza/Canani dropper Porto Marmay. Canani’s other entrant Mini Do scratched.

Race 3: Within Reason seized early command as expected, but he could not hold off undefeated Espinoza/Mandella comebacker Tall Texan (Point Given).

Race 4: Quick Commander did not control the pace as expected. He tracked honest fractions and came again when engaged by Shirreffs railsitter Wicked Delight. Indy Blaze took action based on his flashy turf pedigree, but he never fired in a poor effort.

Race 5: Zenyatta (Shirreffs) rallied to her 5th win in as many starts in the Grade 2 Milady. She was bumped at the start, but she would have been sitting last anyway. Pace is also meaningless to her. She has a nose for the wire and keeps on trucking. The consistent Santa Terasita was clearly 2nd best.

Race 6: Scout About (Solis/Hendricks) finally found clear sailing and ran down Sleepin In. Decent effort by Gary Sherlock firster Flashing Forward (3rd).

Race 7: Kathy Walsh is live at the current stand, and she struck with Midwest transplant Whatsitgonnatake ($16), giving Joel Rosario a pair of turf sprint wins on the day. Mullins trained Missoula was 2nd best, and the Arizona invader has a hint of talent.

Race 8: Heatseeker is the king of SoCal synthetic (Santa Anita/Hollywod), and he showed he would be a major Gold Cup factor in four-weeks with a powerful prominent throughout romp in the Grade 2 Californian. Tiago rallied to finish a respectable 2nd over Surf Cat. Albertus Maximus failed to show early zip as expected, and when his lone weapon wasn’t utilized, he faded to last.

Race 9: Dropper My Friend Luis was up late to tag World War, giving sneaky trainer Jorge Periban a much needed win. Fav Common Trust was a wide 3rd.

OHIO DERBY Recap

Smooth Air sat his ground saving stalking trip as expected, and he rolled right on by his inexperienced foe Cherokee Artist to post a four-length tally in Saturday’s Grade 2 Ohio Derby from Thistledown.

Cherokee Artist carried the eventual winner out turning for home, but he was not matching strides at that point and had to settle for the place. Graham Motion has to be excited about his lightly raced prospect.

The winner was finally getting away from Big Brown after chasing him in the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby.

Favorite Z Fortune had no excuses and never really threatened the top two while finishing a clear 3rd.

The winner paid $5.80 and picked up $180k for his efforts.

Photo Credit: Newscom

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