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REVISITING THE QUEEN
Enough time has elapsed to lessen the heartbreak of Zenyatta's only defeat at the hands of Blame in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.  Pay particular attention to the anguish in Trevor Denman's voice the final sixteenth.

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SANTA ANITA PARK LINEUP

Andy Villanueva
Mike Superstein
Mitchell Speed
C-Dawg

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Andy Villanueva @avillanueva3rd
               
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FAVORED ESENTEPE CRUISES IN CUSHION TRACK DEBUT
INGLEWOOD, Calif.
(May 9, 2013)-Esentepe was successful in her Cushion Track debut, easily
defeating Plaza de Indias and three other mares in the $57,000 feature
Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Ridden for the first time by
jockey Rafael Bejarano, the 2-5 favorite took command from the outset
and wasn't seriously menaced as she won for the first time in her fourth
start in the United States.
Trained by Hall of Famer Jerry
Hollendorfer for owner William Deburgh, Esentepe, a 4-year-old daughter
of Oratorio prevailed by 3  lengths while covering the 1 1/16 miles in
1:43.74.
Out of the Octagonal mare Mythie, Esentepe earned her third win in 20 starts and increased her earnings to $149,984.
This
was the second synthetic track start for Esentepe, who had finished
third, second and fourth -- on turf -- in her first three outings for
Hollendorfer. The bay, who was bred in Ireland by Peter Kelly and Ms.
Wendy Daly, was third over the Polytrack at Kempton in Great Britain
April 7, 2012.
Favored for the third time in this country, Esentepe returned $2.80, $2.60 and $2.10.
The win completed a double for leading rider Bejarano, leaving him two victories shy of 3,000 in his career.
The
Peruvian native, who has 14 wins at the current Spring/Summer meet, is
named on five mounts Friday at Betfair Hollywood Park. His other win
Thursday came aboard fifth race favorite So She Dances.
The longest
shot in the field at 11-1, Plaza de Indias returned $6.20 and $3.40. She
finished 3  lengths in front of Miss Radiance, who paid $3.60 to show.
Jockey
Edwin Maldonado, who won the riding title at the 2012 Autumm meet,
combined with trainer Adam Kitchingman for a natural hat trick, sweeping
the first three races Thursday.
All of the wins -- Bodway in the
first, Pleasant Miss in the second and Miceli in the third -- were
accomplished in gate-to-wire fashion.
Maldonado moved into second in the jockey standings. He has 11 victories, one more than Joe Talamo.
Racing resumes Friday. Post time is 1 p.m.
The
10th day of the Spring/Summer meet also marks the third Fiesta Friday.
There will be Mexican food and drink specials between 2-4 p.m. and Gold
Club members can enter to win a $100 mutuel voucher.
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DHAAMER TRIES TO GO BACK-TO-BACK IN ROUND TABLE
INGLEWOOD, Calif.
(May 9, 2013)-Defending champion Dhaamer will try to stay undefeated
over the Betfair Hollywood Park turf course when he takes on five
opponents in the $70,000-added Round Table Stakes Sunday.
A 1  mile
race for older horses, the Round Table is the seventh of nine races.
Post time is 1 p.m. Track gates will open at 9:55 a.m. for simulcasts.
Trained
by Mike Mitchell for owners Edward J. Brown, Jr. and Jay Manoogian,
Dhaamer won the Round Table by 4  lengths as the 11-10 favorite in
2012. The Irish bred gelding followed that decisive victory with a 3 
length score -- at the same distance -- in the Grade III Sunset Handicap
a little over two months later.
A 6-year-old son of Dubai
Destination out of the Ahonoora mare Arjuzah, Dhaamer returns to the
grass after finishing sixth of eight in the Grade III Tokyo City Stakes
March 23 over the Santa Anita main track.
The subpar performance came
after eight months on the sidelines for Dhaamer, who was worse than
second only once in five starts last year. He's won five of 16 in his
career with earnings of $214,522.
Diamondsdiplomat will make his
first appearance for trainer Peter Miller and Rockingham Ranch after
being claimed for $50,000 April 27.
It was the third consecutive race
from which the 5-year-old Diplomatic Jet gelding out of the Kipper
Kelly mare La Kipper was claimed. He finished fourth as the 2-1 favorite
after setting a quick pace in his Betfair Hollywood Park debut last
month.
Bred in Florida by George Gurrola, Diamondsdiplomat has won six of 25 and banked $218,212.
Lime
Rickey will be making his first start over the local turf after
finishing fourth in the Grade II San Juan Capistrano Handicap April 21
at Santa Anita.
Owned by a partnership that includes Whitney LLC and
trainer Bill Spawr, the 7-year-old gelded son of Lemon Drop Kid and the
Deputy Minister mare Kootenai has won seven of 39 and earned $442,347.
Niagara Falls will try winners for a second time after breaking through againsdt maidens May 5.
The 4-year-old Giant's Causeway colt won at 1 3/16 miles in his first excursion over the Betfair Hollywood Park turf.
Out
of the Kingmambo mare Istikbal, Niagara Falls has one win in five
starts and earnings of $44,160 for Mrs. Paul Shanahan and trainer
Patrick Biancone.
Rounding out the Round Table lineup are two females -- Madera Castana and Little Emily.
A
6-year-old, Chilean-bred daughter of Indy Dancer and the Dancing Groom
mare Madera Fragante, Madera Castana has been idle since finishing last
in an optional claimer over the Tapeta at Golden Gate Feb. 23.
Owned
by Green Grass Stable and trained by Angel Rodriguez, the dark bay has
lost 23 in a row since winning the Group I Alberto Solari Magnasco in
her native country Nov. 6, 2010.
Winless in 21 races in the United States, Madera Castana is 2-for-32 lifetime with earnings of $144,278.
Little Emily stretches out four furlongs after finishing last in the Grade III Wilshire Handicap April 28.
Trained
by Robert Leonard for owner Penley Leonard, Little Emily has won four
of 14. The 5-year-old daughter of Castledale and the Dom Alaric mare
Emily's Charm has earned $114,900.
From inside out, the field for the
fifth Round Table Handicap: Lime Rickey, Rafael Bejarano rides, 115
pounds; Diamondsdiplomat, Joe Talamo, 117; Little Emily, Brice Blanc,
116; Niagara Falls, Martin Pedroza, 117; Dhaamer, Garrett Gomez, 121 and
Madera Castana, Omar Figueroa, 121.
                                                  -30-

INGLEWOOD,
Calif. (May 9, 2013)-Defending champion Dhaamer will try to stay
undefeated over the Betfair Hollywood Park turf course when he takes on
five opponents in the $70,000-added Round Table Stakes Sunday.
A 1 
mile race for older horses, the Round Table is the seventh of nine
races. Post time is 1 p.m. Track gates will open at 9:55 a.m. for
simulcasts.
Trained by Mike Mitchell for owners Edward J. Brown, Jr.
and Jay Manoogian, Dhaamer won the Round Table by 4  lengths as the
11-10 favorite in 2012. The Irish bred gelding followed that decisive
victory with a 3  length score -- at the same distance -- in the Grade
III Sunset Handicap a little over two months later.
A 6-year-old son
of Dubai Destination out of the Ahonoora mare Arjuzah, Dhaamer returns
to the grass after finishing sixth of eight in the Grade III Tokyo City
Stakes March 23 over the Santa Anita main track.
The subpar
performance came after eight months on the sidelines for Dhaamer, who
was worse than second only once in five starts last year. He's won five
of 16 in his career with earnings of $214,522.
Diamondsdiplomat will
make his first appearance for trainer Peter Miller and Rockingham Ranch
after being claimed for $50,000 April 27.
It was the third
consecutive race from which the 5-year-old Diplomatic Jet gelding out of
the Kipper Kelly mare La Kipper was claimed. He finished fourth as the
2-1 favorite after setting a quick pace in his Betfair Hollywood Park
debut last month.
Bred in Florida by George Gurrola, Diamondsdiplomat has won six of 25 and banked $218,212.
Lime
Rickey will be making his first start over the local turf after
finishing fourth in the Grade II San Juan Capistrano Handicap April 21
at Santa Anita.
Owned by a partnership that includes Whitney LLC and
trainer Bill Spawr, the 7-year-old gelded son of Lemon Drop Kid and the
Deputy Minister mare Kootenai has won seven of 39 and earned $442,347.
Niagara Falls will try winners for a second time after breaking through againsdt maidens May 5.
The 4-year-old Giant's Causeway colt won at 1 3/16 miles in his first excursion over the Betfair Hollywood Park turf.
Out
of the Kingmambo mare Istikbal, Niagara Falls has one win in five
starts and earnings of $44,160 for Mrs. Paul Shanahan and trainer
Patrick Biancone.
Rounding out the Round Table lineup are two females -- Madera Castana and Little Emily.
A
6-year-old, Chilean-bred daughter of Indy Dancer and the Dancing Groom
mare Madera Fragante, Madera Castana has been idle since finishing last
in an optional claimer over the Tapeta at Golden Gate Feb. 23.
Owned
by Green Grass Stable and trained by Angel Rodriguez, the dark bay has
lost 23 in a row since winning the Group I Alberto Solari Magnasco in
her native country Nov. 6, 2010.
Winless in 21 races in the United States, Madera Castana is 2-for-32 lifetime with earnings of $144,278.
Little Emily stretches out four furlongs after finishing last in the Grade III Wilshire Handicap April 28.
Trained
by Robert Leonard for owner Penley Leonard, Little Emily has won four
of 14. The 5-year-old daughter of Castledale and the Dom Alaric mare
Emily's Charm has earned $114,900.
From inside out, the field for the
fifth Round Table Handicap: Lime Rickey, Rafael Bejarano rides, 115
pounds; Diamondsdiplomat, Joe Talamo, 117; Little Emily, Brice Blanc,
116; Niagara Falls, Martin Pedroza, 117; Dhaamer, Garrett Gomez, 121 and
Madera Castana, Omar Figueroa, 121.
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BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK WON'T SEEK 2014 RACE DATES;
RACING, TRAINING AND STABLING WILL CEASE BY END OF 2013
INGLEWOOD,
Calif. (May 9, 2013)-The anticipated development of the Hollywood Park
property by owner Hollywood Park Land Company has become a reality, so
the Hollywood Park Racing Association will not apply to the California
Horse Racing Board for 2014 race dates at Hollywood Park.
This means
the 75th anniversary season will be the final year of live racing,
training and stabling at the legendary facility. The current
Spring/Summer meet continues through Sunday, July 14.
Racing will
cease with the conclusion of the Autumn meet, which is scheduled to
begin Thursday, November 7 and continue through Sunday, December 22. The
stable area is expected to close by the end of the year.
The
development of the property has been considered inevitable -- barring
meaningful changes in racing's business model - since Hollywood Park
Land Company purchased Hollywood Park from Churchill Downs in 2005.
At
that time, the Land Company advised racing would continue at Hollywood
Park for a minimum of three years and a concerted effort would be made
during that period to try and revitalize the sport's underlying business
model.
"Ownership has been upfront from the beginning that the
property would eventually be developed unless there were significant
changes in the horse racing business,'' said Betfair Hollywood Park
president Jack Liebau. "Despite the Hollywood Park Land Company
financially supporting two statewide initiatives with varying degrees of
support from other segments of the racing industry, the attempts to
upgrade the business model were not successful.
"From an economic
point of view, the land now simply has a higher and better use, so,
unfortunately, racing will not continue here once the 2013 Autumn meet
is completed.''
Liebau added further logistics regarding the pending closure will be worked out in the coming months.
From
its opening in June, 1938 under the direction of motion picture moguls
Jack and Harry Warner, Hollywood Park has been the home of unforgettable
achievements from legendary performers -- both human and equine -- and
innovations that continue to be important parts of the racing
experience.
The fabled Seabiscuit captured the inaugural Hollywood
Gold Cup 75 years ago, the first thoroughbred on a superstar-studded
roster of winners that also includes  Noor, Citation, Swaps, Round
Table, Ack Ack, Affirmed, Ferdinand, Cigar, Skip Away, females Happy
Issue, Two Lea and Princessnesian and three-time winners Native Diver
and Lava Man.
There is also the memory of what is arguably Hollywood
Park's most famous race -- the conquering of undefeated Triple Crown
winner Seattle Slew by J.O. Tobin in the 1977 Swaps Stakes.
Before a
crowd of more than 68,000, Seattle Slew, three weeks removed from
completing his Triple Crown sweep in the Belmont Stakes, finished --
echoing the words of iconic track announcer Harry Henson - a well-beaten
fourth.
The Grade I Swaps Stakes was created three years earlier to
honor the greatest California bred in history. Owned by breeder Rex C.
Ellsworth and trained by Mesh Tenney, Swaps was memorialized 55 years
ago with a bronze statue that remains near the clubhouse entrance.
One
of the most popular horses ever to race in the United States, John
Henry did some of his best work in Inglewood. The Ole Bob Bowers
gelding, who was trained by Ron McAnally for owners Dorothy and Sam
Rubin, won six stakes at Hollywood Park, becoming the first horse to
surpass $4 million in career earnings when he captured the 1983
Hollywood Turf Cup.
Another more recent fan favorite was Zenyatta.
Stabled throughout her brilliant career at Hollywood Park, the 2010
Horse of the Year, who was adored by the racing public due to her
come-from-behind running style and her personality, earned eight of her
19 victories at her home track, including an unprecedented three
consecutive wins in the Grade I Vanity Handicap (2008-2010).
Many of
the game's greatest jockeys and trainers have added to their glowing
resumes at Hollywood Park, including numerous Hall of Famers.
Laffit
Pincay, Jr. and Bill Shoemaker are the runaway leaders in terms of wins
among riders at Hollywood Park, having combined for 5,465 victories --
568 coming in stakes.
Other Hall of Famers who were once local
regulars include Sandy Hawley, Chris McCarron, Eddie Delahoussaye, Gary
Stevens, John Longden, Kent Desormeaux, Don Pierce and Milo Valenzuela.
Hall
of Fame trainers Charlie Whittingham and Bobby Frankel combined to win
over 1,800 races -- 371 of them in stakes -- at Hollywood Park.
The
top 40 trainers -- in terms of victories - in Hollywood Park history
include a dozen others - McAnally, Tenney, Richard Mandella, Bob
Baffert, Buster Millerick, Neil Drysdale, Bill Molter, D. Wayne Lukas,
Jack Van Berg, Lazaro Barrera and Bob Wheeler -- who are residents of
the Hall of Fame.
The Breeders' Cup became a reality at Hollywood
Park in 1984 and returned twice more -- in 1987 and 1997 - to the Track
of the Lakes and Flowers.
Highlights include Wild Again's shocking
upset in the inaugural Classic after a very eventful stretch run,
Ferdinand's narrow win over Alysheba in the 1987 Classic and Skip Away's
dominance in the 1997 Classic.
The inventiveness fostered at
Hollywood Park -- under leadership provided by forward thinking
executives such as James Stewart, Vernon O. Underwood, Mervyn LeRoy,
Marjorie Everett and R.D. Hubbard -- remains evident to this day.
Some of the game's fixtures that began at Hollywood Park include:
      Sunday racing, which debuted in April, 1973
      Giveaways to fans -- topped by a tote bag promotion which drew a record 80,348 on May 4, 1980
 
    The Pick Six -- Underwood's brainchild -- and the $1 million
guaranteed Pick Six pool, which became a reality in 1998 during
Hubbard's tenure.
Several other exotic wagers came to life at
Hollywood Park, including Rolling Pick 3s, the Superfecta, the Place
Pick All, the Pick 4 and the Players' Pick 5, a reduced takeout wager
which debuted at the beginning of the 2011 Spring/Summer meet.
The
Hollywood Land Company also spent more than $8 million to install
Cushion Track nearly seven years ago. California's first synthetic
surface, which opened for training Sept. 13, 2006, is widely considered
to be the state's safest and fairest main track.
"Our fans and all of
the employees who have worked at Hollywood Park -- both past and
present -- deserve our thanks and gratitude,'' said Liebau. "They have
been the backbone of this historic venue.''
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STABLE NOTES
By Mike Superstein
THURSDAY, May 9, 2013


KENTUCKY DERBY DAY THROUGH THE EYES OF DOUG O'NEILL

          The preparation was over. 
 
        It was 5:15 a.m. Saturday morning when Doug O'Neill arrived at
the Churchill Downs barn of his prized 3-year-old Goldencents.  It would
be 10 hours of anticipation before the gates sprang open for Kentucky
Derby 139 and O'Neill would find out if the bay colt would reward the
trainer his second consecutive victory in the world's most famous race.
 
        "Everyone around the barn was having a blast all week," said a
reflective O'Neill.  "After the success of I'll Have Another last year,
we were all feeling a lot of confidence.  There wasn't nearly as much
pressure this year.  Last year, there was a lot of self-induced pressure
and a lot of media pressure.  Never having success in the Derby before,
you feel a little rattled at what it takes to get a horse ready.  After
the win, you feel a little swag, more confidence, and everyone's
looser."
          The 45-year-old trainer had heard it was going to rain, but welcomed the prospect.
 
        "You know what they say about Louisville,'' he said. "They
always joke that if you don't like the weather, wait five and it will
change. It was raining that morning, but I really didn't think we'd get
that much consistent rain.
            "But to be honest, I didn't
mind it because I really thought it would lend to our horse's chances. 
As it rained more and more, I was getting more confident.
         
"From my experience with a wet-fast track, it's easier to get the
distance.  I thought it might turn the mile and one-quarter into a mile
and one-eighth if it was a really tight track."
          Unfortunately, as the day went on, track conditions worsened, causing O'Neill a bit of concern.
"It
got kind of like what (jockey) Kevin (Krigger) said was,  a little
peanut butterish.'  It was getting a little sticky out there.  It became
a track that was more laboring.  As you saw, the winner went the final
half-mile in 53 seconds or something like that.  It was pretty slow.
"Our
asset is that we have speed, but the way the race came out, it really
didn't favor us.  Hey, that's part of racing.  The plan was to go 23
(seconds, first quarter) and 47 (seconds, half mile).  If he was on the
lead, great, if he was chasing, great.  We had enough confidence in our
colt that we didn't feel we had to rush him and try to go wire to wire."
 
          "Turning down the backside, I was all smiles.  I thought this
is where we wanted to be.  We're going to be 1-2-3, this is perfect.  I
glanced at the timer and saw 45 and change and from where we were
sitting, I was really happy."
          That optimism, however, was short-lived.
(more)

2/2/2/2

"Somewhere
midway down the backstretch, I could tell he was struggling and not
getting stronger as the race went on,'' said O'Neill. "That was an  uh
oh' sign.
    "I was very proud of Kevin.  I thought he gave him a
great ride.  Once he realized it wasn't our day, he took it real easy on
him and we were able to see the fruits of that the following morning."
          Naturally, after the battle was lost, the condition of the horse became paramount.
 
        "I was worried until I watched him break into a jog after the
race,'' said O'Neill,  'then it was like  phew.'  Then, of course, you
want to see him back at the barn.  When we got back there, he cooled out
great"
          As O'Neill pointed out, sometimes it takes a
little longer for something (physical) to show up, so the trainer was
more than relieved when he examined his runner the next morning.
     
    "The day after, he ate up good and his legs were ice cold and
sound,'' he said. " At that point, we just figured we'd put a line
through the Derby and go for the shorter stretch and the shorter
distance of the (May 18) Preakness."
          The disappointment of the Derby has not eroded O'Neill's confidence.
 
        "I still think he ranks right up there with the top 3-year-olds
this year,'' said the trainer. "You wouldn't necessarily say that after
watching the Derby, but I think he's going to redeem himself as long as
he trains well at Pimlico (he's scheduled to work May 13).  I think we
have a big chance to turn it around (in the Preakness).''

BEJARANO, ESPINOZA, ELLIS INCH CLOSER TO MILESTONES

          Rafael Bejarano, Victor Espinoza and Ron Ellis inched closer to milestones with one winner each on Sunday's card.
 
        Bejarano rode veteran Streets of Heaven to victory for Richard
Baltas, giving the Peruvian born jockey his 2,996th victory.  Espinoza
and Ellis combined to take the Time To Leave Stakes with Teddy's
Promise.  Espinoza now needs eight wins to reach 3,000 career victories
and Ellis five to reach 1,000.
          The win Sunday for Bejarano,
who has five mounts Thursday, was his 12th of Spring/Summer meet and
enabled him to remain three clear of Joe Talamo in the rider standings. 
Tyler Baze and Edwin Maldonado are one win behind Talamo.
         
Bob Baffert won five times last week, including the Grade II Mervyn
LeRoy Handicap with Liaison.  He enters the third week of the meet with
eight winners, two more than fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer.

SEMINARS RETURN SATURDAY

 
        Dan Ward, the longtime assistant trainer to Hall of Famer Jerry
Hollendorfer, will be the guest of co-hosts Michael Burns and George
Ortuzar at the next Escogiendo Ganadores (Picking Winners) session
Saturday, May 11.
          During the Spanish-language seminar,
Ward, Burns and Ortuzar will discuss the Betfair Hollywood Park card,
including the $70,000-added Came Home Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven
furlongs over Cushion Track and the $100,000, Grade III Senorita Stakes
for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. The field of eight includes
the Hollendorfer-trained Scarlet Strike.
          Escogiendo Ganadores will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Paddock Tote Board.

(more)
         
3/3/3/3

After
Escogiendo Ganadores concludes, the Hollywood Insider will begin at the
same location. One of the on-air personalities from Television Games
Network (TVG) will play host for the seminar, which is scheduled to
begin at 12 Noon.


Handicapping tips, insights and other last minute information will be offered on the afternoon's races.

DHAAMER RARIN' TO GO FOR SUNDAY'S ROUND TABLE

 
        With a race under his belt in the Grade III Tokyo City Stakes
March 23, trainer Mike Mitchell proclaimed Thursday that Irish bred
Dhaamer is raring to go for Sunday's $70,000 Round Table Stakes at 1 1-2
miles on the Betfair Hollywood Park turf.
          "He's doing
super," said Mitchell.  "We passed up the San Juan Capistrano this year
because that was his worst race last year.  Now we have a nice fresh
horse."
          Dhaamer, a 6-year-old son of Dubai Destination, is
the defending Round Table champion and also captured the Grade III
Sunset Handicap on closing day of the 2012 Spring/Summer meet.
   
ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY BUFFET PRESENTED SUNDAY IN TURF CLUB

 
        The popular Mother's Day Buffet will be offered Sunday in the
Betfair Hollywood Park Turf Club.  The event includes Turf Club
admission, general parking, program, tax, tip, coffee and tea.
          Admission price is $52 for adults and $23 for ages 4-17.  Children under 3 are admitted free.
          Reservations are recommended and can be made at (310) 419-1601.

CLOSING
STRIDES-Trainer Ron Ellis reported that Teddy's Promise came out of her
Time to Leave Stakes victory "perfect."  She could return in the
$70,000 Desert Stormer Handicap June 16.  Her main goal is the $200,000,
Grade II A Gleam Handicap, a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" race,
July 13.  Ellis also revealed that multiple stakes winners Include Me
Out and Rail Trip are up to five-eighth of a mile workouts and about a
month away from returning to competition........Apprentice Jevian Toledo
is a new face in the jock's room.  The Puerto Rican native has won 32
races since his first victory on New Year's Day.  The 18-year-old tacks
109 pounds and will be represented by Rene San Miguel........More than
half the field (972) was eliminated last Sunday, the first day of the
$2,500 winner-take-all Show Me the Money Contest.  Contestants stay
alive as long as their daily selections finish first, second or third.  A
total of 772 participants remain entering Thursday's action.
___________________________________________________
HOLLENDORFER SEEKS ANOTHER STAKES WIN IN SENORITA
INGLEWOOD, Calif.
(May 8, 2013)-Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer will aim for his
fifth stakes win of the Spring/Summer meet when he sends out Scarlet
Strike in the $100,000 Senorita Stakes Saturday at Betfair Hollywood
Park.
A Grade III for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf, the
Senorita is part of a stakes doubleheader. The nine race program also
includes the $70,000-added Came Home Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven
furlongs over Cushion Track.
Post time Saturday is 1 p.m. Gates at
Betfair Hollywood Park will open at 9:55 a.m. for simulcasts. The
Senorita goes as the sixth race while the Came Home is the third.
This will also be the second of nine Saturdays during the meet offering a guaranteed Pick Six pool of $150,000.
If
the Pick Six pool exceeds $200,000 on any of the remaining selected
Saturdays -- which also include May 25, June 1, June 15, June 22, June
29, July 6 and July 13 -- there will be $1 Happy Hour food and drink
specials offered at Whittingham's Pub and the Betfair Players' Lounge.
Additionally,
a single winning ticket -- purchased either at Betfair Hollywood Park
or through Television Games Network (TVG)- will earn a bonus -- a 2013
Toyota Prius courtesy of Toyota of Orange.
Owned by a partnership
that includes Hollendorfer, John Carver and Green Smith, Scarlet Strike
will be aiming for a second consecutive Grade III win. She wrapped up
her Santa Anita meet with a half-length victory as the 2-1 favorite in
the Providencia Stakes April 6.
The win was the second in 10 starts
for the Smart Strike filly out of the French Deputy mare Scarlet Tango
and pushed her earnings to $332,340.
Hollendorfer, who is looking for
his first Senorita victory, won four stakes in the first four days of
the Spring/Summer season. He won the B. Thoughtful with Curvy Cat,
Melair (Doinghardtimeagain) and Tiznow (Kate's Event) April 27 and
returned the next day to win the Grade III Wilshire Handicap with Halo
Dolly.
An English bred daughter of Kheleyf, Charlie Em will make her
United States debut in the Senorita for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
and trainer Paddy Gallagher, who won this race in 2007 with Valbenny.
Out
of the Pivotal mare Miss Meggy, Charlie Em won three of eight and
banked $15,678 while competing in her native country and Germany. She
has been idle since finishing third in a $25,700 stakes at Hannover in
Germany last Nov. 4.
Need You Now stretches out in her second in the
U.S. for owners Anthony Fanticola and Joe Scardino and trainer Mike
Mitchell after finishing fifth of six in the Runway Stakes April 13 at
Santa Anita.
An Irish bred daughter of Kheleyf and the Shernazar mare Sniffle, Need You Now has won two of five and earned $25,684.
Kyriaki
will try to improve on a sixth place effort in the Providencia for
owner Domenic Savides and trainer Peter Eurton. The Scat Daddy filly out
of the Dixieland Band mare Tally Ho Dixie has one win in three races
and a bankroll of $40,570.
Disko Dasko will make her first attempt
beyond 6  furlongs for owner Deron Pearson and trainer Jim Cassidy. The
French bred daughter of Country Reel and the Nashamaa mare Rosalita has
won two of six and earned $78,943. She was a 9-1 winner in her U.S.
debut March 15 at Santa Anita before finishing fourth in the Runway
Stakes.
Pearson and Cassidy will also be represented by Lilbourne
Eliza, an Irish bred daughter of Elusive City. Out of the Marju mare
Midnight Partner, Lilbourne Eliza has one win in five races and a
bankroll of $24,453. She lost by a nose to Becky Lou in an optional
claimer April 18 at Santa Anita in her first start in the country.
Trainer
John Sadler, a two-time winner of the Senorita -- Paula Revere (1991)
and Cozi Rosie (2010) -- is scheduled to start Sweet Red Cat.
Third
in the Providencia, the Bluegrass Cat filly out of the Lord Avie mare
Sweet Soul has won twice in six starts and earned $80,150. She is owned
by Batchelor Family Trust and Judi Partridge.
Showgirl Form returns
to Southern California for owner-breeder Ernie Moody's Mercedes Stables
LLC and trainer Tim Yakteen after defeating maidens April 27 at Golden
Gate Fields.
The 2  length win for the Dynaformer filly out of the
Theatrical mare Dominique's Show was her first in three starts. She's
earned $27,650.
From inside out, the field for the Senorita Stakes:
Lilbourne Eliza, David Flores rides, 115 pounds; Kyriaki, Mike Smith,
117; Showgirl Form, Tyler Baze, 117; Disko Dasko, Edwin Maldonado, 115;
Sweet Red Cat, Victor Espinoza, 117; Need You Now, Julien Leparoux, 115;
Charlie Em, Garrett Gomez, 115 and Scarlet Strike, Rafael Bejarano,
121.
Scherer Magic, who won the Grade III Hollywood Juvenile
Championship in 2012, will make his first start as a 3-year-old in the
Came Home.
Trained by John Sadler for owners Cecil and Gary Barber,
the Doneraile Court gelding out of the Touch Gold mare She's a Nasty One
has been away since finishing ninth of 10 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Turf Sprint Preview last Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.
An Iowa bred who has
won two of six and earned $148,400, Scherer Magic is 2-for-2 over
Cushion Track. Prior to this 2  length win in the Juvenile last July
14, the dark bay had broken into the game one month earlier with a 7 
length victory against $50,000 claimers. He was claimed out of that win
by his current connections from owner Joseph Robson and trainer Craig
Dollase.
Treasury Bill shortens up in his return to California for owners Gary and Mary West and trainer Ron Ellis.
A
son of Lemon Drop Kid and the Menifee mare Wow Me Free, Treasury Bill
finished eighth of 11 in the Grade II Rebel Stakes March 16 at Oaklawn
Park. A winner once in four starts, the Kentucky bred has earned
$71,000.
Prior to his off-the-board finish in Arkansas, Treasury Bill
had finished second to Shakin It Up in the Grade II San Vicente -- at
the Came Home distance -- Feb. 17 at Santa Anita.
Let Em Shine comes
off consecutive easy wins for owner William Peeples and trainer Adam
Kitchingman. The Songandaprayer colt out of the Johannesburg mare
Justaspell defeated maidens by 7  lengths Jan. 19 at Santa Anita before
defeating four rivals by 4  lengths in an optional claimer March 10.
In
his only start as a 2-year-old, Let Em Shine finished third after
setting the pace against maidens last Dec. 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The Kentucky bred has earned $73,800.
Belvin, who was last seen
trailing in the San Vicente, will make his second local start for
owner-breeder Don Dizney and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
A son
of Empire Maker and the Storm Bird mare Midway Squall, Belvin has won
once in three starts and earned $42,850. He finished second behind
Distinctiv Passion in his career debut over Cushion Track last Nov. 25.
Broadway Empire enters off a blowout maiden victory in his debut March 18 at Turf Paradise.
The
gelded son of Empire Maker and the Belong to Me mare Broadway Hoofer
won by 16  lengths as the 1-2 favorite against six opponents. Robertino
Diodoro trains Broadway Empire, who earned $6,684 for the victory, for
owners Bob Butz, Randy Howg and Rick Running Rabbit.
From inside out,
the field for the Came Home Stakes: Let Em Shine, Edwin Maldonado
rides, 117 pounds; Belvin, Rafael Bejarano, 115; Treasury Bill, Joe
Talamo, 115; Scherer Magic, Garrett Gomez, 121 and Broadway Empire,
Victor Espinoza, 115.
___________________________________________________
GOLDENCENTS RETURNS FINE, SHIPPING TO PIMLICO TUESDAY

    Though
obviously disappointed by the result, Leandro Mora, assistant trainer
to Doug O'Neill, was relieved when Goldencents returned to the barn in
good shape after finishing 17th in Saturday's Kentucky Derby and said
the 3-year-old son of Into Mischief would be pointed to the Preakness
Stakes May 18.
"He came back A-OK," said Mora from Louisville. 
"With all the rain and mud, let's just say the track was not on our
side.  (Goldencents) never had to face conditions like that in
California."
"I thought (jockey) Kevin (Krigger) did a great job
protecting him.  He let Palace Malice go and was in a good position, but
when he saw it was hopeless, he eased him up the last part of the
race.  The track condition made a big difference.  The riders saw that
speed was doing well earlier in the card and they were all rushing to
get position.  That's why the fractions were so fast."
Mora said that
Goldencents would be shipped to Pimlico Tuesday.  O'Neill is scheduled
to return to California Monday, followed by Mora Tuesday or Wednesday.

SCARLET STRIKE SET FOR SENORITA; GOOD BATTLE LOOMS IN CAME HOME

 
  Scarlet Strike, winner of the Grade III Providencia Stakes April 6,
tops the field for Saturday's $100,000 Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old
fillies. The Grade III is run at one mile on the Betfair Hollywood Park
turf.
Trained by red-hot Jerry Hollendorfer, Scarlet Strike was third
in the Grade I Hollywood Starlet during the 2012 Autumn meet and
bounced back from her Providencia victory with four solid drills. 
Leading rider Rafael Bejarano will be aboard.
Jubilant Girl, who is
trained by John Sadler, is expected to be Scarlet Strike's main
opponent. The daughter of Henrythenavigator has won three of four and
most recently captured the Runway Stakes April 13 at Santa Anita.
The
Saturday program will also include the $70,000-added Came Home Stakes
for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.  Confirmed starters include Broadway
Empire, a 16-length winner in his Turf Paradise debut and the returning
Scherer Magic, victorious in the Grade III Hollywood Juvenile
Championship during the 2012 Spring/Summer meet.
Trainer Robertino
Diodoro, who returns from a suspension Tuesday, said he wasn't surprised
at the margin of Broadway Empire's maiden victory.  "This was one of
the few times when I expected a horse to win like that," revealed
Diodoro.  "He won even more impressively than I thought he would. 
Before he ran, he had a few issues at the gate and he's a big horse
anyway, so we gelded him.  After that, he settled down."  Victor
Espinoza will ride the son of Empire Maker
(more)

2/2/2/2

 
  Sadler is enthusiastic about Scherer Magic off the bench.  "He ran on
the Breeders' Cup undercard and came back with a small chip in his
right knee," advised Sadler. "He's been training really well on this
track."
Also set for the Came Home is Treasury Bill (trainer Ron
Ellis, jockey Joe Talamo), runner-up in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes
Feb. 17 at Santa Anita.
SOLIS BULLISH ON FRESHMAN SIRE

    Trainer Walther Solis has reason to be optimistic about freshman sire Time to Get Even. 
Solis,
who owns 25 per cent of the stallion, trained two of his offspring for
first-out victories this meeting.  Time for a Hug, a colt, won the first
juvenile race of the Spring/Summer season April 26 and Time for Angie, a
filly, was an easy winner May 3.
"He only covered a few mares last
year," said Solis.  "He has a lot more this year.  The two that won look
very similar and they both look like their dad."

TRAINER, JOCKEY STANDINGS TIGHTEN UP DERBY WEEK

 
  With a triple Saturday, Bob Baffert moved into a tie with fellow
Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer atop the Betfair Hollywood Park trainer
standings with six victories.  Baffert won with first time starter
Donelle, Midnight Crooner, and Liaison in the $150,250, Grade II Mervyn
LeRoy Handicap.
Heading into Sunday's card, Mike Puype, Eric Kruljac
and Bruce Headley are tied for second with three wins.  Headley's
victories have come from just five starters.
Rafael Bejarano, who was
out of town to ride in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, returns to find his
eight-winner lead whittled down to three by Joe Talamo, who tripled
Saturday.  Bejarano, who scored once on the Derby undercard, is now
just five away from 3,000 victories.  Next in the standings are Tyler
Baze (7) and Edwin Maldonado (6).
All winning riders Saturday had
more than one victory.  Talamo (3), Baze (2), Maldonado (2), Martin
Garcia (2) and Alonzo Quinonez (2) accounted for every race on the card.

CLOSING
STRIDES-Trainer Paul Aguirre advised that Tiz a Minister, third in the
recent Snow Chief Stakes, popped an abscess but has recovered quickly
and went to the track Sunday morning.  The 3-year-old is being pointed
to the $100,000, Grade III Affirmed Handicap June 2.......Mike Marlow,
assistant to Bob Baffert, said that Liaison and Guilty Trip, the 1-3
finishers in the Mervyn LeRoy, came out of the race fine.  Kettle Corn
and Blueskiesnrainbows, second and fourth, respectively, also returned
well, according to John Sadler and Jerry Hollendorfer.........Trainer
Peter Miller reported that Comma To the Top,  winner of the Cool Frenchy
Stakes, emerged from the effort in great shape and is on course for the
$100,000, Grade III Los Angeles Handicap May 27.  Miller also remarked
that Harry Henson Stakes winner Summer Exclusive is nominated for the
Came Home Stakes and will either run there or a race on the Preakness
undercard........Dhaamer, winner of the Round Table and Sunset Handicaps
at Betfair Hollywood Park in 2012, worked six furlongs in 1:15 1/5 May 3
at Santa Anita.  The Irish bred will attempt to repeat in the Round
Table crown May 12 for Mike Mitchell.  Also on the tab for Mitchell was
Obviously, third in the Breeders' Cup Mile, who worked a half-mile in
:48 3/5........Rafael Bejarano, Julien Leparoux and Garrett Gomez, who
rode in the Kentucky Derby, are back at Betfair Hollywood Park for
Sunday's card.  Agent Brad Pegram said that Mike Smith, who won the
Kentucky Oaks aboard longshot Princess of Sylmar, returns Thursday.

___________________________________________________
DAN WARD NEXT ESCOGIENDO GANADORES GUEST
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 5,
2013)-Dan Ward, the longtime assistant trainer to Hall of Famer Jerry
Hollendorfer, will be the guest of co-hosts Michael Burns and George
Ortuzar at the next Escogiendo Ganadores (Picking Winners) session
Saturday, May 11.
During the Spanish-language seminar, Ward, Burns
and Ortuzar will discuss the Betfair Hollywood Park card, including the
$70,000-added Came Home Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs over
Cushion Track and the $100,000, Grade III Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old
fillies at one mile on turf.
Escogiendo Ganadores will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Paddock Tote Board.
___________________________________________________
HOLLYWOOD INSIDER RETURNS MAY 11
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 5, 2013)-One
of the on-air personalities from Television Games Network (TVG) will
play host for the Hollywood Insider Saturday, May 11.
Handicapping
tips, insights and other last minute information will be offered on the
afternoon's races, including the $70,000-added Came Home Stakes for
3-year-olds at seven furlongs over Cushion Track and the $100,000, Grade
III Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf.
Hollywood Insider will begin at 12 Noon at the Paddock Tote Board.