Monday, May 21 2012
HALO DOLLY REBOUNDS IN FRAN’S VALENTINE; FOUR BAGGER FOR LEADING RIDER BEJARANO
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 20, 2012)—Halo Dolly was successful in her return to turf, wiring four opponents in the $71,750 Fran’s Valentine Stakes Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Owned by a partnership that includes Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, the 4-year-old Popular filly shook off 7-10 favorite Sugarinthemorning after six furlongs and went on to a 2 ½ length victory in a race restricted to California bred fillies and mares.
Saturday, May 19 2012
TWO TURNS NO PROBLEM FOR UNSTOPPER TOPPER
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 18, 2012)—More than two months removed from his maiden win, Unstopper Topper stretched out and wired five fellow California breds in the $54,350 feature Friday night at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Trained by Kristin Mulhall for owner Kretz Racing LLC, the 4-year-old Old Topper gelding out of the Theatrical mare Emmy Ann covered the 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track in 1:43.63.
ARUNA, CAMBINA, NEREID AMONG GAMELY NOMINEES
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 18, 2012)—Cambina and Nereid, who finished in a dead heat in the 2011 American Oaks, are among 15 nominees to the $250,000 Gamely Stakes.
The first Grade I of the Spring/Summer meet at Betfair Hollywood Park, the Gamely, which is for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf, will be run for the 44th time Monday, May 28.
Friday, May 18 2012
DANDEREK GOES ALL THE WAY IN THURSDAY FEATURE
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 17, 2012)—Danderek led throughout to win for the first time in the United States in a $57,940 optional claimer Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Owned by Vegas Racing Team LLC and trained by Francesco Santella, the 6-year-old Fantastic Light gelding was ridden by Jose Valdivia, Jr. and completed the 1 ¼ miles on turf in 2:02.05.
STABLE NOTES THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012
MILLER OFF TO A FAST START, BEST MAY BE YET TO COME
Peter Miller got out of the gate quickly at Betfair Hollywood Park. The 45-year-old conditioner started 16 horses in the first 12 days and recorded five wins, one second and one third, placing him second in the standings behind Bob Baffert. The trainer hopes to keep up the momentum with several of his stable stars returning in upcoming weeks.
Arguably the best horse in Miller’s barn is Reneesgotzip, winner of the Grade II Santa Ynez and beaten a nose in the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks last winter. The City Zip filly is 2-for-2 on Cushion Track, including an impressive allowance score May 4th. “She’s doing great,” said the trainer Thursday morning. “She’s leaving here on May 25th to run in the (Grade I) Acorn (May 28th at Belmont Park). Garrett Gomez will ride.”
HALO DOLLY SEEKS FIFTH TURF WIN IN FRAN’S VALENTINE
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 17, 2012)—Halo Dolly, who has won four of six on turf, returns to that surface Sunday in the $70,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Restricted to California bred fillies and mares, the Fran’s Valentine is at one mile. It is the eighth of nine races. Post time Sunday is 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 17 2012
ZAZU MAKES 4-YEAR-OLD DEBUT IN MARJORIE L. EVERETT; PREAKNESS SIMULCAST, EARLY POST TIME
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 16, 2012)—Zazu, a multiple graded stakes winner, will make her first start as a 4-year-old in the $150,000 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
A Grade II at 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track, the Everett, which was formerly called the Milady Handicap, was renamed this year to honor Mrs. Everett, the former chairwoman, chief executive officer and president of Hollywood Park who died March 23. The card also includes the Railbird Stakes, a Grade III for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.
Monday, May 14 2012
SOFTER COMPANY LEADS TO VICTORY FOR DHAAMER
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 13, 2012)—Exiting a pair of graded races, Dhaamer responded to class relief with an impressive victory in the $72,950 Round Table Stakes Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The 11-10 favorite against eight opponents, the 5-year-old Irish bred powered home in the final quarter of a mile to win by 4 ½ lengths under jockey Joel Rosario.
Sunday, May 13 2012
TWO CARRYOVERS AWAIT MOTHER’S DAY PLAYERS; PICK SIX ($75,414) WHILE SUPER HIGH 5 IS $29,391
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 12, 2012)—There will be a Pick Six carryover of $75,414 and a Super High 5 carryover of $29,391 when racing resumes Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Post time for the Mother’s Day program is 1 p.m. Track gates will open at 9:55 a.m. for simulcasts.
FAVORED DRILL GETS JOB DONE IN LAZARO BARRERA; GARCIA, ROSARIO COMBINE FOR SEVEN VICTOR
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 12, 2012)—Cutting back to his best distance, Drill defeated American Act and two other fellow 3-year-olds to win the $98,000 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, the Lawyer Ron colt won for the third time in as many starts at seven furlongs.
Saturday, May 12 2012
GUTIERREZ WINS IN RETURN TO BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 11, 2012)—Jockey Mario Gutierrez was a winner Friday night at Betfair Hollywood Park with his first mount since he won the Kentucky Derby aboard I’ll Have Another six days earlier.
Gutierrez, who earned the unforgettable victory at Churchill Downs in his initial Derby experience, went gate-to-wire Friday with 5-2 second choice Blake in the first race, a $25,000 restricted claimer.
ZAZU, INCLUDE ME OUT AMONG 14 EVERETT NOMS
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 11, 2012)—Zazu, who upset 2011 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty in the Grade II Hollywood Oaks last June 25, is among 14 fillies and mares nominated to the $150,000 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap.
A Grade II at 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track, the Everett – formerly called the Milady, but changed in 2012 to honor the longtime chairwoman, chief operating officer and president of Hollywood Park, who died in March – is one of two stakes that will be run Saturday, May 19 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
