HORSE RACING

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Pat the Cool Cat - Sadler has an uncoupled entry in here, this is the longer odds filly; chance to sit and rally late.

Gothic Beauty - Like the turn back in distance from a route to this elongated sprint; will still be sent to the front.

Long Shot - Dawn After Dawn

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Dr Zaentz - The number of times Stein wins as a favorite, you can count on one hand; still, he remains the one to beat.

Indianski - The story of the meet so far is what's happened to Espinoza; this guy found his best stride late in debut.

Long Shot - Duradude

Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $27,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Moscow Rising - Trainer change from Hines to Guillot is worth examining; slight edge in an incredibly wide open race.

Swinger Doll - Has run two decent races in her turf resume; this may be her preferred surface as she did little on dirt.

Long Shot - Latin Circuit

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $10,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

Polo Bender - Got one of the stupidest rides of the year last time; turns back in distance, but will still be in front.

Common Trust - Always respect when Gomez takes the call, especially in a cheap race like this; will get way overbet.

Long Shot - Hemet Thought

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds

Bayngen Bartok - Did not run one step last time as a beaten favorite; chance to rebound at a price for forgiving players.

Black Mallou - Speedball gets the ultimate speed rider, P Val; simple tactics of going as fast and as far as he can go.

Long Shot - Check This Topper

Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $48,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Bestdressed - Ran a career best last time in the Cal Cup; the key is if he can avoid a bounce, square price at 6/1 odds.

River Island - Another coming off a career best effort, good chance one of the two will repeat; will be closing fast.

Long Shot - Angus

Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

River Echo - Hard to go wire to wire at 7-furlongs, gets turned back to sprint; expect Gomez to save some horse for late.

Rudemeanie - Ran a real bomb of a race last time, now he must repeat that effort; Baze is riding as well as anyone now.

Long Shot - Furioso Star

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds

Touch My Abs - Did everything but win last time in a sharp try; have to think he has more room to improve.

Mr. Excessive - Leap of faith that Gomez is riding this colt for a good reason; tactical speed to protect his position.

Long Shot - Skimming On Ice

Best Bet - Touch My Abs (race 8)

Hollywood Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/6/$49.80; Long Shots, 8/2/$19.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Totals - 286/64/$425.00; Long Shots, 144/22/$288.80; Best Bets, 17/5/$18.60