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American Oaks Day Stakes

In addition to the featured American Oaks (GI) (race #8), a dynamite eleven race card on Sunday, July 3 also features the $300,000 Vanity Handicap (GI) (race #3), presented by Korbel; the $250,000 American Handicap (GII) (race #5); and the $300,000 Triple Bend Breeders' Cup Handicap (GI) (race #9) .

Race 3: Vanity Invitational Handicap (Grade I)
$300,000 - 1 1/8 miles
Vanity Past Performances

Pgm. # Horse Commentary
1 Healthy Addiction John Sadler trainee has been winning every other start, so does that means she should get the job done today? She's definitely capable, winning the Santa Margarita (GI) at this distance two starts back. However, Star Parade has gotten the better of her on two occasions this year, and that one is in here as well. Speed figures make her competitive; chances improve if she gets a lone lead early.
2 Sharp Lisa Hard-trying filly switches back to the main track after three turf stakes. One start at Hollywood came in the Starlet (GI). Versatile sort has won from both on the lead and off the pace. Needs to step it up a bit to grab the top prize, but will definitely make whoever wins work for it. Prefer to use on the bottom of the exotics.
3 Freakin Streakin Was in good position last out in the Milady BC (GII), but just didn't have the kick to stay with Proposed and Star Parade. Picked a tough spot to try and get her first win since August 2005. Have to beware of her, though, as trainer Julio Canani places his horses well and has pulled off bigger upsets.
4 Proposed Morning line second choice (3-1) was ultra game when she outbattled Star Parade in the Milady. Those two are likely to hook up again today, and it's splitting hairs to find much difference between them. Proposed obviously loves Hollywood; she's 4 for 4 here, but might not prefer the 1 1/8 miles as much as her foe. Obviously doesn't offer a lot of value, but nevertheless a must use on your ticket.
5 Star Parade Should be the favorite off her superior numbers and affinity for the Hollywood track. Like Healty Addiction, she wins every other time, and is due for the victory if she follows that pattern. Known to throw in the occasional clunker, but always has a good excuse. Yet to win at the distance, but her last race, a head loss to Proposed, indicates she should appreciate the extra sixteenth of a mile. Training super, with two bullets in six days, leading up to this. Play to beat her at your own risk.
6 Bardy Woman Seems to be outclassed on paper as she just got her entry level allowance win while most in here are experienced stakes performers. For those looking for redeeming qualities, she has won here and at the distance. Also has a sharp recent work, but is realistically just looking for a smaller share of the purse.
7 Hollywood Story Scratched by John Shirreff out of the CashCall Mile Saturday in favor of this spot, she's still in a tough a tough spot to get her first win in 14 months. Probably preferred this race because of the familiarity with the local main track; she's only been off the board once in seven tries. Her race in the Gamely BC (GI) was better than it appears, as she had to alter course in the stretch. She should get some pace to set up her closing kick. Would like to see 6-1 or better before jumping in with a win bet.

Race 5: American Invitational (Grade II)
$250,000 - 1 1/8 miles on the turf
American Past Performances

Pgm. # Horse Commentary
1 Quasimodo Quasimodo has been scratched from the American Invitational Handicap
2 The Tin Man Eight-year-old just keeps chugging along no matter what; ran a great second in Dubai in March. Sometimes it takes a horse a while to recover from such a journey, but the fact that Mandella is bringing him back (relatively) quick says that he is doing as good as can be expected. Series of long, solid works leading up to this also point to a good effort. $2.2 million plus earner should get the trip and he's definitely good enough.
3 Willow O Wisp Willow O Wisp has been scratched from the American Invitational Handicap
4 El Don With just one start, in late May, since last November, he's being asked to take on quite a task dealing with some tough veterans. Speed figures are a cut below the morning line choices. He does have some speed, and may not face a lot of pressure if he goes straight for the lead. Working well and picks up Alex Solis, but is fighting an uphill battle.
5 Mr. Wolverine Least experienced member of the field has made five of his six starts against state breds, and though he's never been off the board in those races, he's jumping in some deep water here. Lone start in open company saw him run third in an entry level allowance race. A win would be a major shock.
6 Fourty Niners Son Classy 5-year-old is a Grade One winner that has been in the money 11 of 15 races. Didn't run a jump in the Breeders' Cup Turf (GI) at Belmont last October, but after given some time off, he came back to just miss in a tough allowance race. That was definitely a prep for this event, and he should be much fitter this time around. Ran third in this race last year while making his first stakes start. Looking for him to continue the hot hand for Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale, who won two races Saturday.
7 Hendrix Hendrix was all out when just beating Fourty Niners Son in the allowance prep six weeks ago. Like the way he did that against a tough field, but his races in Graded stakes have yielded poorer results. Note that Valenzuela gets off to ride Willow O Wisp. Son of Sultry Song is definitely on the improve and trainer Craig Dollase had longshot Dancing Edie run well in the CashCall Saturday. Looking for a good effort from a stalking position.
Race 5: Triple Bend Invitational Handicap (Grade I)
$300,000 - 7 furlongs
Triple Bend Past Performances

Pgm. # Horse Commentary
1 Areyoutalkintome No disgrace in losing to Carthage and Trickey Trevor, particularly after getting off badly and having to play catch-up. Remarkably consistent, but doesn't get to the winner's circle as often as you'd like to see. Just one for 13 at Hollywood, but has been second or third nine times. Note that he was favored against Siren Lure two back, and that one should be the favorite here today. Playable at a square price.
2 Thunder Touch Was well behind several Triple Bend foes when facing them in the Los Angeles Handicap (GIII), and subsequently ran horribly in the Ack Ack (GIII) last month. Connections must be considering that race a tossout to come back against a tough group like this. Should fire his best shot as the third race after the layoff but wondering if his best days are behind him.
3 Publication Returned from a two-year! layoff with a big win that made it look like he had never been out of training. Comes from well off the pace, which bodes well for him as there are enough early speed types that will set up his run. Just missed in this race three years ago, so it would be a sentimental win for all his connections if he could get the job done. Likely to show some improvement with a race under his belt.
4 Trickey Trevor Should battle with Siren Lure for post-time favoritism, he's the 7-2 second choice in the morning line. Dueled gamely with a very good sprinter in Carthage, losing by a length at Bay Meadows last month. A grade two winner at seven furlongs in the Churchill Downs Handicap, he's also won his only start at Hollywood. More impressive is his penchant for winning, taking 18 of 36 lifetime. He's on top of his game now and makes the third start after a brief vacation; looking for a top effort in a very contentious field.
5 Battle Won Goes for new connections after being under the care of Kentucky-based Chuck Simon. Six-year-old has had a dry spell, but on his best day is as good as any sprinter in the country. Trainer Mike Mitchell says his newest addition to the barn has been training fantastic and looks for a good performance. Will need to regain his 2005 form to contend for the win.
6 Sire Lure A deserving morning line favorite, Siren Lure has won four of his last five starts. Versatile sort wins on grass or dirt, and like Trickey Trevor, is a win machine (10 for 18 lifetime). Does his best running from far back, making him dependent on the early speed to back up in the lane. In great form right now and has a bullet work last Tuesday that sets him up perfectly for another top showing. Play against at your own risk.
7 Unfurl the Flag Winner of this race last year, he hasn't seen the winner's circle in four starts since. Really went off form after victory, getting a vacation after a dismal outing in a November Cal-bred stake. Comeback race June 14 didn't do a lot to inspire, as he beat one as the 2-1 favorite. Connections still believe in him or he wouldn't be in here. On the plus side, he worked a bullet five furlongs last Sunday. Will be near the pace early, but questioning his desire to hang tough late.
8 Pro Runner Longshot ran a big race to be third in the Los Angeles Handicap (GIII), shipping from his Turf Paradise base. That race must have taken something out of him, as he was pretty dull in the Ack Ack. Another who has turned in a fast a.m., but he looks in over his head today.
9 Vortex (GB) Seven-year-old makes his U.S. debut after running less than two weeks ago at Ascot, Britian's premier race meet. That worked pretty well for Luas Line, who was third in Saturday's Cash Call Mile (GIII). Though he's raced exclusively in Europe, he's raced 17 times on the all-weather tracks, so handling the dirt shouldn't be an issue. More problematic may be the weather change, as he's used to it being quite a bit cooler. Feeling is that his connections think he has a big chance or he wouldn't have made the trip.
10 Seattle Buddy Seems a bit outclassed on paper coming out of a hard-fought win against second-level allowance company. Likes to get into the fray from the outset, which could be his undoing as they hit the top of the stretch. Will have to hustle from the outside post under apprentice Juan Ochoa. A minor award would be a major accomplishment.

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