Tuesday, May 29 2012
BELLE ROYALE SURGES LATE TO WIN GRADE 1 GAMELY
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 28, 2012)—Trainer Simon Callaghan and jockey Joel Rosario made it consecutive wins in the $250,000 Gamely Stakes Monday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Twelve months after Dubawi Heights won the Spring/Summer meet’s first Grade I, Callaghan and Rosario repeated with Belle Royale, who finished with a flourish to defeat Quiet Oasis, Capital Plan and five others.
Monday, May 28 2012
MEGA DREAM STUNS MIZDIRECTION IN GREAT LADY M.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 27, 2012)—For the second day in a row, a Southern California newcomer sprung a stakes surprise at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The culprit Sunday was 13-1 outsider Mega Dream, who shocked 2-5 favorite Mizdirection in the $75,070 Great Lady M. This victory came 24 hours after Wilkinson’s 44-1 stunner in the Grade II, $150,000 American Handicap.
BHP: GAME ON DUDE WORKS A STRONG 7 FURLONGS SUNDAY, BAFFERT CONSIDERING CALIFORNIAN
Game On Dude, a multiple Grade I winner and narrow loser to stablemate First Dude in last year’s Hollywood Gold Cup, sped seven furlongs Sunday morning at Santa Anita in 1:24 and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is considering the Awesome Again gelding for Saturday’s $150,000 Californian Stakes at 1 1-8 miles on Cushion Track.
Baffert also nominated Prayer for Relief and Richard’s Kid to the Grade II event, but their status is undetermined.
Sunday, May 27 2012
WILKINSON PULLS AMERICAN HANDICAP SHOCKER
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 26, 2012)—Making his first start for trainer Jeff Mullins, Wilkinson pulled the biggest surprise in the long history of the $150,000 American Handicap Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Dismissed at 44-1 in the Grade II, the 4-year-old Lemon Drop Kid saved ground while racing close to the pace, angled outside approaching the stretch, collared leader Liberian Freighter with less than an eighth of a mile to run and easily withstood the late surge of 3-5 favorite Mr. Commons.
Saturday, May 26 2012
GAME ON DUDE AMONG DOZEN NOMS FOR CALIFORNIAN
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 25, 2012)—Two-time Grade I winner Game On Dude is among three horses Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has nominated to the $150,000 Californian at Betfair Hollywood Park.
A Grade II at 1 1/8 miles over Cushion Track, the Californian is the final major prep for the Grade I, $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup July 7. The Californian will be run for the 59th time Saturday, June 2.
QUIET OASIS STEPS UP IN GAMELY FOR REDDAM, GUTIERREZ
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 25, 2012)—Owner J. Paul Reddam and jockey Mario Gutierrez will try for some Grade I success at Betfair Hollywood Park Monday before their date with destiny with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another in the Belmont Stakes June 9.
Quiet Oasis, who won the Grade III Wilshire Handicap for the Reddam-Gutierrez combination April 29, will step into a tougher spot in the $250,000 Gamely Stakes.
BUSY SATURDAY FOR O’NEILL AT BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 25, 2012)—Before heading to New York for a chance at history with I’ll Have Another in the Belmont Stakes June 9, trainer Doug O’Neill will have an active Saturday afternoon at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Two weeks removed from an opportunity to win the Triple Crown – the first since Affirmed won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in 1978 – O’Neill is scheduled to have runners in five of the nine races.
Friday, May 25 2012
O’NEILL GOES WITH THE FLOW IN TRIPLE CROWN QUEST
A leading trainer multiple times in Southern California, Doug O’Neill is no stranger to media coverage.
His outgoing personality is a big reason why O’Neill, who celebrated his 44th birthday Thursday, is able to handle the increased intensity as I’ll Have Another goes for the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes June 9th.
MIZDIRECTION GOES FOR FIVE IN A ROW SUNDAY
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 24, 2012)—Mizdirection will try for her fifth win in a row against seven opponents in the $70,000 Great Lady M. Stakes Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The 18th running of the race at six furlongs on turf is the eighth of nine. Post time is 1 p.m. Track gates will open at 9:55 a.m. for simulcasts.
Thursday, May 24 2012
MR. COMMONS 122 POUND HIGHWEIGHT AGAINST 10 IN AMERICAN HANDICAP
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 23, 2012)—Mr. Commons, who has been 1-2 in seven of his eight races on turf, will make his debut on the Betfair Hollywood Park course in the $150,000 American Handicap Saturday.
A Grade II at one mile, the American is the eighth of nine races. Post time is 1 p.m. Track gates at Betfair Hollywood Park will open at 9:55 a.m. for simulcasts.
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.
