Horse Racing: Today at Hollywood Park, June 14

By Richard Eng

Post Time 1 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds

5 Bodaway – Sharp speed win and now bumped up in class; has enough back class where he can repeat the race.

3 Itsalwayssomething – Showed good improvement in graduating last time out; claimed by John Sadler who is having a fine meet.

Long Shot – 6 Justa Gusta

Race 2 – 5 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

3 Gagaoveryou – FTS from the Julio Canani barn; been working fast and has the pedigree to excel at sprint distances.

4 Kristinite – Tepid chalk in a race full of unknown; you’ll have a big edge over me in seeing the tote board action.

Long Shot – 5 South Sound

Race 3 – 7 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Streets of Heaven – Big rider switch back to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot; bigger change is dropping back to $8K class.

2 Valkyrie Missile – Beaten favorite was a stride late in last; Blake Heap hands the reins over to Martin Garcia.

Long Shot – 7 Mr. Padre

Race 4 – 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $48,000, Claiming $62,500, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Joeandbettysbaby – Broke her maiden two races ago for a price tag; now dropped in for a price tag, a slightly easier spot.

3 Myntz Connection – Won sharp race for Ron Ellis in last; it was the first time she had run for a price tag.

Long Shot – 5 Lady Katfish

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

3 Super Dice – Just missed in last in a solid effort; won’t be anywhere near the 10/1 price in last.

7 Rocky Barboa – Like that Eric Kruljac makes an aggressive boost in class for this; usually a sign of confidence.

Long Shot – 4 Saint Leo

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $57,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Top Kisser – Flattered when Unusual Hottie won right back; has good speed to lead or sit just off the early pace.

7 Jolly Days – Short rest after two good thirds at Santa Anita; consistent sort is 5-of-7 in the money on turf.

Long Shot – 1 Ricspretentiousgal

Race 7 – 7 furlongs, Purse $62,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

2 Paynter – Remarkable return to the races; Bob Baffert figures to have him sharp so as not to embarass this great comeback.

6 Kate’s Event – Likely upsetter due to fine improvement under Jerry Hollendorfer; better in one turn races.

Long Shot – 8 Fly Lexis Fly

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Smart Striking – Gutsy win in last and faces the same class of horse tonight; Edwin Maldonado won’t get too far back.

1 Romantic Wish – Claimed by Eddie Truman after a fast closing fourth; gets to save every inch of ground in the finale.

Long Shot – 4 Candy Trophy

Best Bet – 1 Streets of Heaven (race 3)

Hollywood Park Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$21.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$12.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Park Totals – 505/126/$800.60; Long Shots, 244/33/$343.00; Best Bets, 29/9/$41.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #7 Triumph And Song (3/1) in race 10 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Sly Warrior ran third at Churchill Downs paying $2.20 to show. Stats – 95/62/$466.00; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick