HORSE RACING

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 7:05 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Like Josie Wells - Gained some ground late in last; figures to get a nice stalking trip again and may grind out the victory.

Merger Mania - Speedy sort is stretching out around 2-turns for the first time; should provide the speed target for others.

Long Shot - Ascoreinglady

Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $51,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Beyond Loaded - Beaten favorite figures to get just a good a trip tonight in a small field; Talamo will know him much better.

C. T. Zee - Speedball draws the parking lot post with a quick left into the first turn; worry is if he'll bounce off last.

Long Shot - Stormy Grant

Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $55,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Double Trouble - Facing a much easier task on class relief alone from the grade 3 Wilshire; note that Talamo takes off here.

Fun Logic - Dead late closer can save all the ground under meet leading rider Baze, M.C., not Tyler; ran a career best in last.

Long Shot - Bosset

Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds

Gary John - Woke up like Rip Van Winkle for Sherman in last; if he is able to repeat the effort, he'll win this easily.

Tom West - Gets big time class relief after an even 2-turn effort last time out; like the switch to Talamo and shortening up.

Long Shot - Soul Work

Race 5 - 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $46,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Steelin' - Has exceptional sprint pedigree and has run well both starts so far; debuts on turf, can sit a perfect trip.

Chocolate Lava - Has not fared well in her two Cushion track races; she is switched to the turf where she could improve.

Long Shot - Distorted View

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $37,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds and up

Mi Rey - Was gelded two races ago, has shown more focus and improvement; like he's going up in class while others are dropping.

Brooker - Tepid chalk is taking a big class drop to face these; has only run second in six starts since claimed by West.

Long Shot - Datticus

Race 7 - 1 1/2 miles (turf, rail at 10 feet), $75,000 Quicken Tree, Cal-breds, 4-year-olds and up

Super Strut - Slight edge in a small, but select field; this should become a jockey's race and Nakatani is A-1 on grass.

Running Free - Not much separates this field, so the trip will become all important; lost a toughie last time in the Khaled.

Long Shot - Ring of Friendship

Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Social Satire - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; the most likely single in tonight's pick 6.

Caribbean's Herd - Dead late closer is hoping a fast early pace will set him up; class relief helped him much last time out.

Long Shot - Via Rodeo

Best Bet - Social Satire (race 8)

Hollywood Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$15.60; Long Shots, 8/3/$32.80; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.40

Hollywood Totals - 380/92/$605.60; Long Shots, 187/24/$264.80; Best Bets, 22/9/$36.80