Friday, May 22 2009

BACKBACKBACKGONE WILL TRY TO STRETCH SPEED IN BARRERA

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 21, 2009) — Backbackbackgone will try to stretch his speed an extra furlong as he aims for his second straight victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park.

The speedy son of Put It Back will shift back to Cushion Track from turf, where he drew off to win the six-furlong Harry Henson Stakes here in April.

HP STABLE NOTES Thursday, May 21, 2009

THORN SONG TO SHIP FOR SHOEMAKER MILE

Thorn Song, one of the leading turf milers in the nation, will be shipped from Kentucky to California Friday for the $250,000-added Grade I Shoemaker Mile on the Hollywood Park turf Monday.

“It just kind of came up,” said trainer Dale Romans from Churchill Downs on Thursday. “Mr. Zayat (owner Ahmed Zayat) was looking over all the races he might run in and saw this as an opportunity for another Grade I. It looks like a tough group but a small field.

Thursday, May 21 2009

CHAMPION ZENYATTA RETURNS SATURDAY IN MILADY HANDICAP AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 20, 2009) — Zenyatta, perfect in nine career starts, will carry high weight of 126 pounds when she makes her 2009 debut in Saturday’s $150,000 Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park.

The daughter of Street Cry capped a seven-win 2008 campaign with 1 ½-length victory over Cocoa Beach in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic, clinching an Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding older female.

Monday, May 18 2009

COCO BELLE PREVAILS UNDER SMITH IN FEATURE

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 7, 2009) — Coco Belle seized the lead from the start and led all the way under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith to snap a six-race losing streak in Thursday’s $60,000 allowance feature at Hollywood Park.

The chestnut mare covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.33 while hanging on in the stretch for a one-length victory over She’s Cheeky. Ashley’s Kitty finished third in the field of six fillies and mares, followed by even-money favorite Foxy Danseur.

KIZZY’S CHAOS CLEAR CUT WINNER UNDER GARCIA IN GALLANT MAN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 17, 2009) — Martin Garcia followed trainer Vladimir Cerin’s instructions to perfection and Kizzy’s Chaos responded with an impressive front-running victory in Sunday’s second running of the $100,000 Gallant Man Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Kizzy’s Chaos gained command shortly after the start of the mile and five-eighths race, easily turned back a challenge from Isipingo nearing the far turn, and drew off in the stretch while winning at the seldom-run distance in Cushion Track record time of 2:43.48 under 112 pounds.

HP Stable Notes: Sunday, May 17, 2009

VENTURA TO TACKLE MALES IN SHOEMAKER MILE

Nine days after Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes, Ventura seeks to become the first female in 58 years to win the $250,000-added Shoemaker Mile on the Hollywood Park turf May 25. The Shoemaker will be the first Grade 1 stake of the meet.

While Rachel Alexandra made her first start against males in the Preakness, Ventura has had plenty of experience running with the boys. The 5-year-old mare has started four times against the other gender with two firsts and two seconds.

Sunday, May 17 2009

RED ARROW STRIKES UNDER TALAMO IN LOS ANGELES ’CAP

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 16, 2009) — Australian-bred Red Arrow gained the lead shortly after the break, opened a two-length advantage on the turn for home and held off a late charge by Paul’s Hope in the stretch to score an upset victory under jockey Joe Talamo in Saturday’s $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap at Hollywood Park.

The 6-year-old prevailed by three-quarters of a length while covering six furlongs on Cushion Track in 1:08.92 to register his first stakes win in the Grade III event.

Friday, May 15 2009

CHRB APPROVES FOUR-DAY RACE WEEK AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 15, 2009) — Hollywood Park has been granted approval by the California Horse Racing Board to adopt a four-day racing week through Sunday, June 14.

As a result, the following changes have been made to the schedule:

There will be simulcast wagering only on Wednesday, May 20; Thursday, May 28; Wednesday, June 3, and Wednesday, June 10. Wednesday, May 27 was originally a dark day and remains a dark day.

FOX NEWSCAST MISLEADS VIEWERS ON STATUS OF HOLLYWOOD PARK

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 15, 2009) — A Fox National News report originating Friday morning from Hollywood Park gave many viewers the completely false impression that Hollywood Park had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Hollywood Park has not and will not be filing for bankruptcy protection. While the reporter was commenting on the difficult times racetracks throughout the country are facing in the tough economy, a scroll ran on the bottom of the picture stating the “largest track” had filed Chapter 11.

LADY LUMBERJACK FLEXES MUSCLES IN THE STRETCH

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 14, 2009) — Lady Lumberjack overtook pacesetter Pinkerbelle at the sixteenth pole and drew off to score a three-length victory in the $48,000 feature as jockey Rafael Bejarano capped a three-win afternoon Thursday at Hollywood Park.

Lady Lumberjack, a 3-year-old daughter of Forestry owned by Roger Licht and David Milch, covered 6 ½ furlongs on Cushion Track in 1:15.59 while registering her second win in six starts.

SIREN LURE HAS SIGHTS SET ON SECOND L.A. ‘CAP WIN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 14, 2009) — Siren Lure has a chance to join exclusive company with a victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap at Hollywood Park.

He would join Native Diver and Kona Gold as the only 8-year-olds to win the six-furlong sprint and match The Diver as a two-time winner.

Thursday, May 14 2009

MARK S THE COOLER COMPLETES HAT-TRICK

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 13, 2009) — Mark S the Cooler closed from fourth in the final furlong under jockey Rafael Bejarano to win Wednesday’s $50,000 allowance feature by a nose, completing a hat-trick for trainer Doug O’Neill at Hollywood Park.

Bejarano moved Mark S the Cooler from the rail to the middle of the course turning for home and he caught pacesetter Santamonicacanyon at the wire while covering one mile on turf in 1:35.60.