Tuesday, July 20 2010
HANDLE, ATTENDANCE DECLINE IN TROUBLED ECONOMIC TIMES
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 18, 2010) — Hollywood Park closed its 57-day spring-summer meet Sunday with drops in attendance and handle, unable to overcome a trend at most tracks throughout the United States in economic times that continue to be difficult.
Southern California attendance averaged 12,676, down 10.4% from the average of 14,149 during a 55-day meet in 2009.
The average Southern California handle of $4,794,545 was off 10.6% from the average of $5,365,2931 from the corresponding meet a year ago.
Sunday, July 18 2010
MARLANG GOES ALL THE WAY IN CLOSING DAY SUNSET
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 18, 2010)-Like Black Astor a year ago, Marlang led throughout Sunday to win the $100,000 Sunset Handicap, the closing day feature of the spring-summer meet at Hollywood Park.
Trained by Neil Drysdale for owner-breeder Gustav Schickedanz, the 5-year-old Langfuhr horse out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Marienburg quickly took control, then repelled a challenge from Champ Pegasus in the final eighth of a mile to end a six race losing streak.
ZENYATTA HORSE OF THE MEET IN MEDIA POLL
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 18, 2010) — Zenyatta, who ran her unbeaten streak to 17 with a stirring victory in the Vanity Handicap on June 13, was voted Horse of the Meet in the annual media poll as the 57-day spring-summer season concluded Sunday.
Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, trained by John Shirreffs and ridden by Mike Smith, Zenyatta has now been selected Horse of the Meet the last three years, the third horse to achieve the honor, but the first female. The others are Lava Man (2005-07) and Native Diver (1965-67).
Zenyatta was also voted the top older female.
Hollywood Park: STABLE NOTES Sunday, July 18, 2010
O’NEILL, ROSARIO MAKE CASES FOR THE DEFENSE
Doug O’Neill successfully defended honors as leading trainer for the meet and Joel Rosario stood in a strong position to repeat as leading rider as the Hollywood Park spring-summer meet reached its final program today.
O’Neill returned from a 15-day suspension Saturday to send out My Maloof Rocker to victory in the seventh race and take a 28-26 lead over Bob Baffert. Baffert has only one starter remaining today.
Saturday, July 17 2010
TEAFATILLER ANOTHER TURF SURPRISE FOR ATKINSON
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 16, 2010)-Never close to the early lead in any of his previous starts, Teafatiller was in front of most of the way in his 9-1 turf upset in a $44,400 optional claimer Friday night at Hollywood Park.
This victory helped trigger a Pick Six carryover of $107,485 when racing resumes Saturday. Post time is 1 p.m. The Pick Six begins in the fifth race.
Despite breaking last, Teafatiller, a 4-year-old son of In Excess out of the Ezzoud mare Cheshire Cat, had the advantage before the first turn and went on to a 2 ½ length victory.
Friday, July 16 2010
SPURRIER SECOND OF FOUR WINNERS FOR ROSARIO
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 15, 2010)-Spurrier collared stablemate Never in the final strides, completing a Bob Baffert exacta in a $54,908 optional claimer Thursday at Hollywood Park.
This was the second time in the last three racing days that the Hall of Fame trainer had a 1-2 finish. On July 10, E Z’s Gentleman and Sangaree captured the top spots in the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap.
Hollywood Park: STABLE NOTES Thursday, July 15, 2010
MITCHELL HOPES TO STAKE ANOTHER CLAIM TO FAME
Trainer Mike Mitchell, who has made a career of converting claims into graded stakes winners, hopes to add Dynamic Range to the growing list in the $100,000 Sunset Handicap, closing-day feature of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meet Sunday.
Mitchell entered Dynamic Range Thursday morning with jockey Rafael Bejarano against six rivals in the Grade III test at 1 ½ miles on turf. The 4-year-old gelding will make his first start for the Mitchell barn since being claimed for $40,000 on May 20 by Indizguys Stable.
MCANALLY SEKS FOURTH WIN IN CLOSING DAY SUNSET
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 15, 2010)-Ron McAnally, who has won the Sunset Handicap three times during his Hall of Fame career, will try for another Sunday at Hollywood Park.
McAnally, whose first Sunset victory came with Cruiser II in 1975, will send out Buenos Dias against six rivals in the $100,000 race at 1 ½ miles on turf. The Grade III is the closing day feature for the spring-summer meet.
Thursday, July 15 2010
SIDNEY’S CANDY BEGINS COMEBACK IN $200,000 SWAPS STAKES SATURDAY
NGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 14, 2010)-Multiple graded stakes winner Sidney’s Candy will make his first start since the Kentucky Derby on May 1 when he takes on four other 3-year-olds in the $200,000 Swaps Stakes Saturday at Hollywood Park.
The Swaps, which is run at 1 1/8 miles over Cushion Track, is one of a pair of Grade II races on Saturday. The other is the $150,000 A Gleam Handicap for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs.
Monday, July 12 2010
DAWNIE MACHO WIRES OPPONENTS IN LANDALUCE
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 11, 2010)-One month removed from a record setting victory in her debut at Arlington Park, Dawnie Macho made a successful transition to California, leading throughout to win the $100,000 Landaluce Stakes Sunday at Hollywood Park.
In her first start for owners Gary and Cecil Barber and trainer John Sadler after being privately purchased, the 2-year-old Macho Uno filly out of the Montbrook mare Blush Of Dawn quickly established command, then withstood a late rally from Izshelegal, who was nearly 21-1.
Sunday, July 11 2010
SIDNEY’S CANDY, GOLDEN ITIZ WORK FOR SWAPS STAKES
Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney’s Candy and “now” horse Golden Itiz turned in their final works Sunday for the $200,000 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park Saturday. The Grade II Swaps is for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on Cushion Track.
Sidney’s Candy was timed in 1:25.60 for seven furlongs under regular jockey Joe Talamo. Golden Itiz, winner of the Affirmed Handicap here on June 19, drilled five furlongs in 1:02.40 under exercise rider Jose Dominguez.
Saturday, July 10 2010
SERIOUSLY, BEJARANO PROVE SUCCESSFUL TEAM
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (July 9, 2010)-Exiting a Grade III race, Seriously earned her second career victory with a 1 ½ length decision over favored Amina in a $47,412 allowance Friday night at Hollywood Park.
Seriously was one of five non favorites to succeed in the Pick Six, so there is a carryover of $99,168 into Saturday.
Trained by Bob Baffert for Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable LLC, Seriously, a 3-year-old daughter of Gulch out of the Wolf Power mare Mutton Maniac, completed the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.34.
