Horse Racing: Today at Hollywood Park, May 4

TODAY AT hollywood PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 11 a.m.

Race 1 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $54,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Miss Pippa - Exits a bullet workout for this 9-furlong test; good post to save ground and grind it out late.

5 Spring Bloom - Claimed by Rafael Becerra off a tough beat second; she has some good back numbers to repeat today.

Long Shot - 6 La Zubia

Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Mint Twist - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; tiny edge in a moribund group.

3 Beautiful Spirit - Was well bet in debut at 5/1 odds and ran OK; need not be much to get her photo taken with these.

Long Shot - 5 Speedy Vixen

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $29,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Power of Nine - Claimed by John Martin, a top NoCal trainer; nicely placed to run well in this soft spot.

1 Woebegon - Claimed by Danny Velazquez off a sharp win; the caveat is been MIA since February, not a good sign.

Long Shot - 2 Mary Contrary

Race 4 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Lake Maracaibo - Been away a full year, but showed good talent back when; key will be if she is fit enough for 2-turns.

7 Princess of Pearl - Paid back to back good turf routes for Doug O’Neill; good luck to him with Goldencents in Kentucky Derby.

Long Shot - 6 Hard Rockin Girl

Race 5 - 5 furlongs, $70,000 Cool Frenchy, 3-year-olds and up

2 Centralinteligence - Been away 10-months for Ron Ellis; returns in a soft spot where his best can surely win this.

6 Comma to the Top - He may win for fun, but looks like a horse going the wrong way; speed to lead pillar to post.

Long Shot - 5 Italian Rules

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $29,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

7 Macho Dorado - Claimed by John Sadler off a good second in last; he has lots of back class and is well spotted to win.

3 Toledo Eddie - Claimed off a sharp win by Peter Miller; I like when a trainer runs them right back, sharp as a tack.

Long Shot - 8 Diamond of Blue

Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

9 Gonna Fly Now - Ran well in return off a 10-month hiatus; if he improve one step he’ll be tough to handle.

3 Genius - Bob Baffert 5-YO has only started twice lifetime; the fact he’s still in training shows he has much ability.

Long Shot - 6 Wild Media

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Fashion Secret - Solid second in career debut for Ron Ellis; his babies improve with experience, expect a step forward.

11 Rosies Ready - Was well bet and hinted at talent last year; been away 6-month, growth and maturity may show up.

Long Shot - 1 Sunbaked

Race 9 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $32,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 Midnight Crooner - Bob Baffert cull won first time for a price tag; remains at $25K today so he dares others to claim him.

3 Lamm - Veteran gelding has run a lot of good turf races at this modest class level; just depends on how good he’s feeling.

Long Shot - 11 Arraignment

Race 10 - 1 1/16th miles, $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

4 Liaison - Upset winner of the Santana Mile showed new found gumption; tactical speed to sit a nice trip over his home track.

3 Guilt Trip - Bob Baffert has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; this colt will sit midpack and chase in the lane.

Long Shot - 1 Tres Borrachos

Race 11 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds and up

11 Lico - Tepid chalk in an ugly looking finale; huge class drop and returns to a preferred synthetic surface.

8 Soul Saver - Ran a dud race in last for this price tag; given a second chance because no one else looks like they can run.

Long Shot - 3 Wise Boss

Best Bet - 9 Gonna Fly Now (race 7)

Hollywood Park Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$21.00; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Park Totals - 96/24/$168.40; Long Shots, 46/5/$40.60; Best Bets, 5/1/$3.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #5 Hungry Island (4/1) in race 8 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Calistoga ran out at Churchill Downs. Stats - 71/47/$347.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick