HORSE RACING
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 1:20 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $57,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
Gregorian Bay - Chance for a small upset in a paceless looking field; someone has to be in front and it might be him.
Pointing Star - Has dueled twice with Gregorian Bay and each won a verdict; logical chalk figures to get way overbet.
Long Shot - By Spot
Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Major Smoke - The longer the races get, the more effective he should be; moves from two outside posts to inside today.
Sweepemup - Heavy favorite is strictly the horse to beat; fast Beyer is suspicious because the top horses finished close up.
Long Shot - Victory Joe
Race 3 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), $150,000 Cinema Handicap, 3-year-olds
Polonius - She has proven two things, she loves turf and needs the early lead to succeed; simple tactics for Jon Court.
Robscarvic - Best closer in a 5-horse field; the other four like to be on or near the lead, Joel Rosario will fly late.
Long Shot - Ez Dreamer
Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
King City Kitty - Beaten chalk did not run badly facing winners for the first time; she'll benefit from the experience.
Lauren C - Dead late closer gets a positive rider switch to David Flores; main fear is the abbreviated sprint distance.
Long Shot - Bondi Babe
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up
Grits - Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; Doug O'Neill takes the blinkers off, Michael Baze needs to carve out a trip.
Indian Weaver - Made my horses to watch list last time when the bugboy got caught up in traffic; big rider switch to Rosario.
Long Shot - Count Orange
Race 6 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
Dakota Phone - Like that he is turning back in distance albeit on turf for the first time; trade Bejarano for Michael Baze.
B's Lucky Strike - Baze had choices and ends up on the favorite for Neil Drysdale; was unlucky last time to just miss.
Long Shot - Pop'shands Are Hot
Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up
Tolnai - Can turn the tables on Judge Gallivan today; saves all the ground under Victor Espinoza and grinds it out late.
IBeat the Fire - Did a classic pop and stop in last, got claimed by John Sadler; his race two back is fast enough to upset.
Long Shot - Quasimodo
Race 8 - 6 furlongs (turf), Purse $51,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up
El Legado - In a race full of question marks, I know this colt won his MSW well from post 12; plenty of pace to set him up.
Quick Enough - Proven he does not need to lead to succeed; he does have the speed to grab the early lead if he wants it.
Long Shot - Water Mill
Race 9 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
A Lil Dumaani - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; his speed today may overpower these.
Carmens Express - If the early speed kils, expect Bejarano to sit chilly and pounce late; Kathy Walsh adding blinkers on.
Long Shot - Russian Liquor
Best Bet - King City Kitty (race 4)
Hollywood Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/2/$8.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$8.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Hollywood Totals - 684/167/$1,091.40; Long Shots, 347/35/$360.20; Best Bets, 40/19/$80.20
