HORSE RACING
December 2, 2007 - 10:00 pm
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $38,000, Claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds
Mt. Orient - Mitchell barn has been the hottest stable so far at the meet; his three previous wins have all come on grass.
Extreme Notice - Dead late closer may benefit from a hot speed duel up front; O'Neill gives him some class relief today.
Long Shot - Candy's Bro
Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Bertie Boy - Continues sliding down the claiming ladder to this lowest class level; chance to rally past mostly slowpokes.
The Ivan Show - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; need not be much to get the job done in here.
Long Shot - Home of the Bold
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Cantina's Rose - Gets big time class relief from the Cal Cup to this optional claimer; like the turn back in distance too.
Stormy Racer - Gets a rider switch to Gomez from Court despite winning last time out; repeat effort puts him right there.
Long Shot - Shes a Lucky Wager
Race 4 - 7 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Catch That Thief - Dead late closer has been close but no cigar lately; the extra furlong may help him today, maybe.
Mellow Cammie - Another dead late closer who was part of a blanket finish last time out; moves inside from post 13.
Long Shot - Wineshine
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Dixieland Classic - Hard to take a short price in such a wide open race; like her pedigree to win early, watch the tote.
Interior Design - Was well bet in debut at Keeneland, but hardly ran a step; like that Gomez rides for this second chance.
Long Shot - Ready for Fortune
Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $22,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
Al Arz - Another taking a monstrous class drop to face a pedestrian crew; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip throughout.
Imitation - Tepid chalk in another wide open race; taking a significant class drop to face these, just needs a clean trip.
Long Shot - Americanrevolution
Race 7 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 2-year-olds
Zuri Mwana - Speedball dueled into vicious fractions last time before tiring late; shorter distance can only help him.
Evil Lightning - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; note he was a beaten favorite two back.
Long Shot - Follows None
Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $48,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Nootka Island - Mitchell barn is white hot as I noted above already; third start off a 2-month hiatus can be her best.
Island Hop - Interesting long shot just broke her maiden; she seems to be improving while others are stuck in neutral.
Long Shot - Aunt Pink
Race 9 - 6 furlongs, $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood, 3-year-olds and up
Greg's Gold - To say he didn't handle the slop at Monmouth is an understatement; the BC Sprint is a complete throwout.
In Summation - Sight unseen since winning at Arlington 3-months ago; proved his mettle two back in upsetting Greg's Gold.
Long Shot - Council Member
Race 10 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Suffolk Punch - Interesting long shot gets class relief and is turning back in distance; reunited with Flores too.
Oh I Tripped - Tepid chalk mainly due to Gomez riding; ran well last time off a layoff with a low percentage rider.
Long Shot - Pace to Burn
Best Bet - Cantina's Rose (race 3)
Hollywood Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/5/$25.40; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.20
Hollywood Totals - 314/72/$465.80; Long Shots, 159/23/$294.20; Best Bets, 19/7/$29.40