HORSE RACING
TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
By Richard Eng
Post Time 12:30 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Kalamata - Mullins filly takes a precipitous drop in class; a red flag for most, but Mullins spots them where they can win.
Sneaky Jack - Chalk wins and slips a notch in class for Hess; this is not the strongest group of $20k claimers you'll see.
Long Shot - Whatwerewethinking
Race 2 - 6 furlongs (turf), Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Miss Cozy Cat - Whenever I see Gomez riding for a small, low percentage barn, I take notice; watch the tote for action.
Soothing Touch - Logical favorite comes from the Frankel barn; was bet in career debut at Keeneland, likely faced tougher.
Long Shot - Perfect Quality
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
Brother Man - Like the turn back in distance today and the switch to Gomez for the money shot; will be grinding late.
Laday Tale - May have made a premature move to the lead, when he spit the bit; P Val takes over which could lower his odds.
Long Shot - Cherokee Tear
Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Embrace the Storm - The Dollase barn has been strong with babies for quite a while; strong works and Flores from the gate.
Overbid - The Guillot barn has made some noise so do not overlook this baby; with nine FTS, you need to watch the tote.
Long Shot - Surf Rider
Race 5 - 1 1/2 miles (turf), $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup, 3-year-olds and up
Champs Elysees - Classy French colt makes his U.S. debut; pedigree wise, he's just warming up at today's marathon distance.
Sunriver - It's not easy to win a marathon race wire to wire, but if anyone can do it it'll be Gomez and Pletcher here.
Long Shot -Heroi Do Bafra
Race 6 - 7 furlongs, Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $100,000, 3-year-olds and up
Soul City Slew - Mitchell barn continues to run incredibly hot this meet; parking lot post to stalk the early pace.
Giant Gizmo - Logical chalk due to the Frankel-Bejarano combo; like the turn back in distance to this elongated sprint.
Long Shot - Brescello
Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Liberty Watch - FTS from the Koriner barn, one of the top baby barns in SoCal; showed lots of gas in a Nov. 21 workout.
On the Virg - Logical chalk due to the combo of Pletcher and Gomez; exits a fast bullet work, among six FTS in the field.
Long Shot - Square Deal
Race 8 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds
Pick Vic - Second start off a 2-month hiatus; takes a small, but significant, class drop and Gomez remains loyal.
True Man - Dead late closer got a test drive in his SoCal debut last time; figures to be sharper with Bejarano up.
Long Shot - Wings of Freedom
Race 9 - 1 1/8th miles, $100,000 Native Diver Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
Ravel - Beat a good field at Keeneland in his return off a 9-month hiatus; highly regarded colt has an enormous upside.
Hello Sunday - Was closing fast in NoCal stakes when steadied at a key moment in the midstretch; is sitting on a big one.
Long Shot - Buzzards Bay
Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $14,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Wild Beginnings - Set vicious fractions in last before tiring late; he faces the slowest group of his career tonight.
Jinete - Exits a bullet workout facing a field devoid of talent; Baze has a chance to sit a perfect trip and grind late.
Long Shot - Oldtophatandtails
Best Bet - Kalamata (race 1)
Hollywood Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/5/$32.80; Long Shots, 5/1/$9.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.40
Hollywood Totals - 378/88/$568.40; Long Shots, 190/28/$342.00; Best Bets, 23/9/$37.00
