HORSE RACING
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $38,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Zohrah - Ran evenly last time as the post-time favorite; big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot.
7 Mutually Benefit - Outran his 5/1 odds in last; showed enormous improvement in her second career start.
Long Shot - 6 Khendum
Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Mikrokosmo - He will not find an easier spot to graduate in SoCal than this; second try off a year hiatus.
6 Regal Fever - P Val will put him on the lead, a good thing in this field; may be a no-passing-zone herd.
Long Shot - 9 Preferred Behavior
Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
2 She'sawontontomato - Lewis Cenicola tries blinkers on tonight; she may have been moved too soon in last, sitting trip.
7 Portland - Did a classic pop and stop in this bottom class last out; she has shown the ability to rate if asked.
Long Shot - 6 Miss I Carly
Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $44,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
3 Achak - Mike Mitchell has an uncoupled entry, so keep an eye on Where's the Remote; assistant Phil Amato in charge for now.
5 Universal Peace - If the early pace is too quick, this guy will be heard from late; useful sort is usually in the number.
Long Shot - 6 Where's the Remote
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $26,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 2-year-olds
6 Dime - Was thrown to the wolves in the Real Quiet off the claim by Doug O'Neill; class relief here, if he isn't too traumatized.
2 Basic Strategy - Broke his maiden well in last running first time for a price tag; expect him on the front end again.
Long Shot - 5 Chiloquin
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
5 Arousal - Figures to be in a perfect stalking position; should show his best yet in his third career start.
3 Eric the Ram - Speedball may be dangerous if left alone too long; simple tactics of go as fast and as far as he can.
Long Shot - 1 Sinai
Race 7 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
5 Forty Dates - Ran like a horse who needed the race off a 16-month hiatus; expect improvement second off the layoff.
8 Popular Date - Logical chalk in a wide-open affair; Joel Rosario figures to sit a trip and come grinding in the lane.
Long Shot - 2 Suances de Espana
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
4 Hunch - Ran like a horse that needed a race coming off an 11-month hiatus; should be much tighter tonight.
1 Streakin's Mohican - Possible lone speed will try and bottom out the field; best jock to accomplish that in P Val.
Long Shot - 6 Yankee Station
Race 9 - 1 1/16th miles, $750,000 Cash Call Futurity, 2-year-olds
6 Clubhouse Ride - Ran a much-better-than-looked race in the Delta Jackpot; P Val had choices and opted to ride for Craig Lewis.
10 Comma to the Top - Proven front runner will have no easy lead tonight; he may be this good, the one to beat.
Long Shot - 2 J P's Gusto
Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $12,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Pay for Play - Hard to find a more difficult puzzle than this; many class droppers, but top riders sticking around too.
5 Dislitleliteomine - Another big class dropper, but Rafael Bejarano is riding; adding blinkers on, never run this cheap before.
Long Shot - 9 Flashy Traveler
Best Bet - 6 Dime (race 5)
Hollywood Park Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/5/$26.60; Long Shots, 8/2/$29.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.00
Hollywood Park Totals - 448/134/$756.40; Long Shots, 227/36/$365.20; Best Bets, 27/15/$51.40
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - 1 Conchacer (9/5) in race 3 at Tampa Bay Downs. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Penn Star ran second at Tampa Bay Downs paying $5.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Stats - 206/147/$1,138.30
