Horse Racing
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 7:05 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $60,500, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Ellafitz - Bob Baffert continues his sizzling pace this meet; can win in front or from just off the pace.
1 Startjumpin Marnie - Expect a ground-saving trip from a rail post; has proven herself over the synthetics.
Long Shot - 5 Berg Bahn
Race 2 - 5 furlongs, Purse $29,700, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
8 Beautiful Strike - Did everything but win in a solid debut; was flattered upon exiting a key race.
7 Savy Smiles - FTS from Kathy Walsh has a solid work tab; like the bullet works and top gate rider David Flores.
Long Shot - 4 Silverport
Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 20 feet), Purse $57,200, Allowance, Fillies, 3-year-olds
7 Rosehill Dew - She is meant for better but can't get past this first-level allowance; third U.S. start the charm.
5 Hout Bay - You know they like her as she has 2-of-4 starts in stakes; regroups in this first-level assignment.
Long Shot - 6 Artuya
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,300, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds and up
4 Doughboy - May get overlooked due to 9 losses; his best race came two back with Garrett Gomez up.
7 Brite Dreamer - Takes the blinkers off after an ill-fated experiment in last; his race two back was good.
Long Shot - 2 Omega Storm
Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $35,200, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Control Seeker - Mike Mitchell is chasing Bob Baffert for leading trainer title; big class drop can only help.
4 Fire Break - Has been claimed 4 times in last 7 starts; Doug O'Neill hires Rafael Bejarano to ride, good move.
Long Shot - 1 Big Wags
Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $38,500, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
5 Uncle Greg - Tiny edge for this speedy sort; versatle enough to lead or take back off the early pace.
1 Duke of Aspen - Second start off a 4-month hiatus; has done well at the distance and over the Inglewood surface.
Long Shot - 3 First Strike
Race 7 - 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 20 feet), Fillies, 3-year-olds
4 Advantage Player - Was overmatched last out in the grade 3 Railbird; these are her friends, expect improvement.
2 Brown Is Beige - Flattered when Fullbridled Sis won next out; turf rail out 20 feet will help the early speed.
Long Shot - 3 Nice Meidel
Race 8 - 7 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
9 Hotstepper - Bob Baffert is throwing his culls among others to win races; speedball wears a target on his back.
7 Aeromon - Big effort in last off a 10-month hiatus; the key will be if he bounces or moves forward a step or two.
Long Shot - 5 Dancing Yodeler
Best Bet - 4 Advantage Player (race 7)
Hollywood Park Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/7/$67.80; Long Shots, 8/1/$28.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.60
Hollywood Park Totals - 710/187/$1,265.40; Long Shots, 346/56/$557.00; Best Bets, 39/18/$67.00
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - 10 Cat Park (7/2) in race 8 at Parx Racing. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Anabaa's Fortune won at Churchill Downs paying $3.80 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats - 104/64/$517.00
