Today at Hollywood Park: Dec. 22, 2013

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK by Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

5 Aqua Revelation - Bob Baffert can put his signature on winning this final Hollywood Park meet; speed to lead pillar to post.

3 Wicked Finance - If the chalk sets too fast a pace, this one will come flying late; just missed last time in a quick finish.

Long Shot - 7 Maxx the Giant

Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Hugger of Trees - Takes a huge class drop to face much easier; like the parking lot post to clock the early speed.

5 Woodlandsway - Adam Kitchingman takes the blinkers off; still has a lot of early speed to go as fast and as far as she can.

Long Shot - 3 Willetta

Race 3 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $50,000, Starter allowance $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Highly Rated - Claimed in last off a sharp try by Jerry Hollendorfer; he is having another sensational meet.

4 Tanquerray - Dead late closer got up by the skin of his teeth last time; always at the mercy of the pace, will need a duel.

Long Shot - 6 English Rhythm

Race 4 - 7 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Boss of Me - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this new low class; need not be much to be competitive with these.

6 Wistfullee Mine - Kayla Stra has been one of the highlight stories of this final Hollywood Park meet; riding in great form.

Long Shot - 5 Slight Edge

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Jet Blue Girl - Claimed by Peter Eurton off a narrow win; is dropped in class which should give her more than a good chance.

5 One Magical Girl - Lets root for some more Kayla Stra magic; she’ll put this filly into the race and try to coax her home.

Long Shot - 2 Warren’s Judy

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

10 Moon Ride - Rafael Bejarano may still be in a tug of war for the title; Mike Pupye adding blinkers on for the money shot.

8 Secret Memo - Has had a million chances so far; this is a very slow group, so she has a good chance to cash another paycheck.

Long Shot - 13 Graduator

Race 7 - 6 furlongs (turf), Purse $30,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Dixieland Blues - Gets class relief from a miserable try in the California Flag; runs for a $25K price tag, now or never.

2 Major Magic - Like the cutback in distance; he has a solid turf resume, but has not won a sod sprint as yet.

Long Shot - 3 Relentless Heat

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

6 Zensational Beauty - The FTS in here all look dangerous; this one from Bob Baffert figures to take a ton of betting action.

8 Koukla - John Sadler FTS gets the services of Rafael Bejarano; the tote board will tell you how live she is tonight.

Long Shot - 4 Steal the Lute

Race 9 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $48,000, Allowance, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

4 Pulpit’s Express - Has run three good races since claimed by John Sadler; tactical speed to sit a nice trip throughout.

6 Folkonsky - With Edwin Maldonado riding the chalk, Joe Talamo takes over; Joe is right on the tail of Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot - 8 Ashley’s Bambino

Race 10 - 7 furlongs, $200,000 King Glorious, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

2 Pray Hard - After 3 good seconds, exploded with a big MSW win; now facing winners for the first time in a stakes race.

9 Aotearoa - Has shown class in competing in good stakes races; like the cutback in distance where he will be flying late.

Long Shot - 11 Life Is a Joy

Race 11 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $50,000, Starter allowance $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

9 Danderek - Chance to win the last race on the final day of Hollywood Park; sad to think this is the very end of things.

11 Depreciable - Wonder if this race will decide the riding title between Rafael Bejarano-Joe Talamo; been fun for 75 years.

Long Shot - 12 Insideondoutside

Best Bet - 4 Pulpit’s Express (race 9)

Hollywood Park Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 21/4/$22.00; Long Shots, 10/1/$14.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Park Totals - 433/113/$696.00; Long Shots, 208/35/$335.60; Best Bets, 23/9/$42.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #2 Fade to Black (6/5) in race 4 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Sweet Moon ran out at Aqueduct. Stats - 196/131/$1,054.60; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick