HORSE RACING
October 31, 2008 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $41,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Hype - Extremely short price on this Todd Pletcher import; both his turf races are fast enough to beat these.
Lifeline - Babies from John Shirreffs barn typically improve with racing; exited a key race at Del Mar.
Long Shot - Smokey Dehere
Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claimin $50,000, 2-year-olds
African Diamond - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much.
Capt. Pike - Leap of faith that Rafael Bejarano remaining loyal counts for something; showed speed in debut.
Long Shot - Scorewithcater
Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $12,000, Claiming $10,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Colominas - I'm still calling for a big meet for Jeff Mullins; 5-for-5 in the money over synthetic surfaces.
Lady Disdain - Respect for the sharp Ron Ellis barn; tactical speed on the stretch back out in ditance.
Long Shot - Jungle Girl
Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $32,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds
General Dan - Ran a better than looked race in last; hasn't run for a price tag since claimed by Gary Stute.
Lunch Time - Ran a huge race in last to win, so the key is to avoid a bounce; has good tactical speed.
Long Shot - Stormin Story
Race 5 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $32,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
New Export - Ran like a short horse last time off a 6-month hiatus; short price in a competitive heat.
One On the House - Bejarano exited to ride the chalk for Frankel, so Joel Rosario takes over; good tactical speed.
Long Shot - Lockford
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $40,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Tiz Bodacious - Closed well into a fast pace in debut; figures to greatly improve his second time out.
Kaptain Kordough - Has run second in 3-of-4 career starts; knocking at the door, won't be long graduating.
Long Shot - Captain Quick
Race 7 - 1 1/4 miles (turf, rail at 15 feet), Purse $44,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
South Coast - Chance to be lone speed at this marathon distance; Joe Talamo has good hands to nurse this guy.
Westerly Magic - Has strung together some consistently good races; Garrett Gomez will sit a trip and fire.
Long Shot - Dadsalittleunusual
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Paddlin Mud - Blinkers on may just be enough to get her over the hump; need not be much in one sorry heat.
Drama Cat - FTS is the morning line favorite, what does that say about the others; watch the tote for clues.
Long Shot - Half Wit
Best Bet - Hype (race 1)
Hollywood Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$18.80; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Hollywood Totals - 31/7/$34.40; Long Shots, 15/0/$0; Best Bets, 2/1/$3.00