Friday night at Hollywood Park – this is what the summer was made for. We’ve got 8 races on the card, including the first ever running of the $65,000 King Glorious Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs in race 7. Let’s see if we can’t get Father’s Day weekend started off on the right foot.
Race 1 – Md 25000 3↑ (6 1/2 Furlongs)
- #4 Warren’s Yodler (3/1)
- #1 Lord in Command (5/2*)
- #6 Quarter Moon (10/1)
#4 Warren’s Yodler returns to 6 1/2 furlongs where he was effective in his second start closing with a late charge to get up for place. If you toss that last race where he was steadied he looks like he can handle this field. The addition of blinkers only sweetens the deal. #1 Lord in Command is a first time starter that is training well for Eric Guillot – and he knows how to help debut colts find the winners circle. #6 Quarter Moon probably isn’t much of a serious win threat, but I thought he could definitely challenge for a spot in the exotics. If he’s got any talent at all, and judging from the way his connections placed him in his first two tries somebody sure thought he did – then he could be a factor here. Other horses you should consider playing underneath include #5 Ringmaster (4/1), #7 Heather’s Echo (8/1), and #8 Cold Prince (4/1). Any one of those can work their way into the trifecta.
Race 2 – Md 25000 F+M 3↑ (7 furlongs)
- #5 Dumaani’s Gold (5/2*)
- #8 Topaz Moon (3/1)
- #9 Afternoon Gold (4/1)
This filly race is rather interesting and I’d give these 3 horses a shot at prevailing here. #5 Dumaani’s Gold chased a returning winner last out (True Suggestion). I always like that angle in maiden claimers. That effort also showed that she could handle the sometimes tricky 7 furlong distance. #8 Topaz Moon should thrive off the cutback in distance today from her last route attempt. Don’t be too harsh on her running lines as she did appear to exit a key race back on 4/19 at Santa Anita where multiple horses returned to win their next effort. Topaz Moon was a respectable 4th in that contest. #9 Afternoon Gold looks like a bottom-of-the-ticket type who can get up at least for a minor share. Note that she was nosed 4 races back at today’s distance. I’d probably throw in #3 America’s Starlett underneath as well based purely on the class drop. I could see #1 Tiz Ballardo winding up in the money as well.
Race 3 – Alw 53000 N1X – 3↑ (1 1/16 miles – Turf)
- #2 Anzisong (5/2)
- #6 Brian the Bold (4/1)
- #4 Dr. Zaentz (5/1)
Tough state-bred conditional allowance in today’s 3rd. I’ll start by saying I’m tossing the favorite, #1 Mr. Chairman, as a win candidate. He just doesn’t look like a winner to me, although he could prove me wrong. #2 Anzisong has a real shot of taking this field from gate to wire and making everything academic. #6 Brian the Bold could get a decent trip here from the outside and be coming late. I think he’s a better horse from watching him run than some of his recent running lines indicate. It was a tough call between #3 Guts and #4 Dr. Zaentz here for my third choice. To be honest, I like them equally, but gave Dr. Zaentz the call because I liked his late charge last out a shade better. I’d still cover the favorite and #3 Guts in the exotics though.
Race 4- Alw 51000 N1X – F+M 3↑ (6 1/2 Furlongs)
- #5 Too Phar (5/2*)
- #6 Barbara’s Love (4/1)
- #2 Brian’s Mark (4/1)
Another tricky race to decipher on paper in today’s 4th. I settled on the favorite #5 Too Phar in the end. I know she’s got a slew of second place finishes and looks like a money burner for win bettors, but many of those she faced were repeat winners (Angel Eyed, Brought It, No Ka Oi), so I’m willing to give her another shot to get to the winner’s circle today. #6 Barbara’s Love picks up a new jockey in Smokin’ Joe Talamo and joins the Ted West barn. The workout tab is extremely sharp for Barbara’s Love. She’s also coming off a turf try and could be sitting on her best career race thus far. #2 Brian’s Mark might get discounted by some, in fact I’m expecting to get a better price than 4/1 on this miss. She’ll likely be part of the early pace at least, and at a sprint distance like 6 1/2 furlongs that can help a horse find it’s way into the money. As for the rest of the field, I’d look pretty hard at #4 Unusual Jane coming off back to back wins for Mike Puype, and #1 Lighten Up Rule from the Jeff Mullins barn. I wouldn’t be surprised if either of them hit the board.
Race 5 – Clm 8000 4↑ (7 Furlongs)
- #8 Corvinus (6/1)
- #10 Cactus Lightning (8/1)
- #3 Bewitching Bartok (9/2)
I think we’ve got a shot to start the late pick 4 sequence off with a bang in tonight’s 5th race. This one looks very competitive to me. #8 Corvinus should be coming late through the stretch and I picture him giving a good account of himself. I think at 4 year’s old you can still look for improvement from this guy, and he’ll be running at his lightest weight yet (115 pounds). His last 4 races would appear to fit well against these bottom rock claimers. #10 Cactus Lightning probably would’ve been my top selection with a better post draw. He’s got every right to destroy this field at 8/1 as he’s run against better horses in his last 4 starts - including competitive runs from the 10 and 12 holes. Watch out for this guy and DO NOT leave him off your pick 4 wagers. #3 Bewitching Bartok could run a better race tonight, although I’ll shy away from suggesting there is room for improvement on a 7-year-old. I also think that #3 Si Chimi (7/2), #7 King Palm (4/1), and #6 Coronoado’s Pride (20/1) are worth long looks in the post parade before teeing up that pick 4 ticket.
Race 6 – Md Sp Wt $50k 3↑ (1 1/8 miles – Turf)
- #9 Catastaire (4/1)
- #2 Isle of Giant’s (5/1)
- #1 Cambridge Blue (2/1*)
We go back to the grass in today’s 6th for another interesting maiden race. I smell another minor upset brewing here. #9 Catastaire is 0 for 9 lifetime, I realize that, but this one has been awfully close in two of his last 3 starts getting beat by a head and a nose. Note that one of those horses who edged him was Guts – and if Guts were to win today’s 3rd (something that is definitely possible), I think you can pencil this one in as a single on your multi-race wagers. #2 Isle of Giant’s is an interesting first time starter. Neil Drysdale isn’t really known for sending out first time winners, but I like the workout lines on this guy enough to think he’s got a serious shot. #1 Cambridge Blue is your morning line favorite, and obviously he can win here, but I really believe he’ll be running for place or show today. Another horse I’d consider tossing into the mix is #6 Dancing Wildfire at 6/1. Bejarano sticks around and they add blinkers. Dancing WIldfire could be a mild surprise to many if he gets a better trip tonight.
Race 7 – The King Glorious $65k 4↑ (6 1/2 Furlongs)
- #2 Sailors Sunset (5/2*)
- #3 High Standards (3/1)
- #4 Jungle Prince (8/1)
I wouldn’t make the King Glorious more difficult than it needs to be. This looks like a 2 horse race on paper between Sailors Sunset and High Standards. I’d cover both in the exotics and move on. If an upset were to occur, #4 Jungle Prince offers nice value at 8/1. Based on his Beyer figures alone though, I doubt you’ll catch that price today. I wouldn’t totally discount #6 Northern Soldier from finding the money today either.
Race 8 – Md 40000 F+M 3↑ (6 Furlongs)
- #3 Warren’s R Ready (5/2*)
- #7 Tizzalating (7/2)
- #6 Improvising Gal (4/1)
We wind up with more maidens, and this time it’s more lovely ladies going 6 furlongs on the main track. #3 Warren’s R Ready looks the horse to beat here dropping in from the special weight level. That class drop alone is usually enough to guarantee a horse a chance at victory. I like that Pedroza is on board again and that last workout looks sharp. #7 Tizzalating is a first timer from the Doug O’Neill barn that has attracted the services of Rafael Bejarano. I’ll pay attention to that combo for sure. #6 Improvising Gal has been favored against better horses, and while she’s burned some tickets in the past I wouldn’t be too hard on her. This isn’t exactly a field to be scared of.
As always, be sure to check for late scratches and changes. Best of luck to all of you. I’ll be back tomorrow morning with a look at the stakes-studded Churchill card that features the U.S. return of 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin.
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