So Cal guy….Saturday

Christopher Ado?s Hollywood Park Handicap
July 15, 2006
Spot Play Selections, Analysis, and Wagering Strategies from Hollywood Park Sunday Today?s Action from Hollywood Park: I will highlight and play races 6 & 7.
In addition, I will put $12 into a Daily Double (Races 6-7).

Race 6: Claiming $25,000 to $22,500, 6-Ѕ Furlongs, Four year olds and upward SENDERO (#1, 5-1) in his last two starts he has been beaten by a combined
20-ѕ lengths including a seventh and last place finish two starts back on
May 27. However, he was RE-claimed by his previous owner and trainer, James
or Marcia Equils and Steve Knapp, and they confidently move him up one level in
class off a defeat which is an indication that this Charismatic
gelding is doing well. He romped to a six length victory on April 13
at Santa Anita where he earned a BRIS Speed Figure of 99 which is well above
the par for this class level (BRIS Speed Figure of 95) and he had to earn
this speed figure in a atough race. He found himself dueling between post
time favorite Fall Free and long shot Bush Wacked through enervating early
fractions, he dueled both of his pace rivals into defeat – they tired to
finish seventh and eighth, opened up around the far turn, and kept on going
to win in smart fashion. He returned three weeks later moving up two levels
in class off the claim for his current connections and finished third beaten
a length and a half to morning line favorite Cinema Star in a race where the
distance and track surface did not favor this bay gelding. He was allowed to
establish moderate fractions as the pacesetter, continued with the lead to
mid stretch, and was collared by the eventual winner and lost second. The
distance of seven furlongs was too far for him and he set the pace versus a
pro closers and anti speed bias which hindered his running style making his
effort look even better. He made his first start for the winless Roberto
Magana barn on May 27 where he failed to show his usual early speed by
racing in uncomfortable position between horses, angled in into the turn,
and offered no rally to finish seventh and last in highly rated strong race.
He was reeled back less than two weeks later and suffered a tough trip fifth
place effort. He was pushed from the gate and asked for speed but was out
sprinted and forced to stalk two dueling leaders in the clear and was forced
to check in tight quarters early. He engaged his rivals with a three wide
move to contest the pace all the way to top of the stretch and tired. He has
been given a sufficient amount of time to recover (37 days) with two smart 5F
works in the interim and switches to Michael Baze who has won 3 of his last
14 starts for this barn in the past two months and we look for him to be sent
to vie for the lead and never look back at a hint of a price to begin the
$300,000 Guarantee Pick 4.
Wagering Strategies:
Play the (1) SENDERO to WIN (Minimum fair odds of 7-2 or better) Main Exactas: 1-4 and 1-5. Small reverse for each.

Race 7: Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs, Two year olds LONGHORN (#6, 20-1) is the co-highest price on the morning line and that is
perfectly fine considering trainer Laura Wohlers record with maiden second time
starters. From three horses that have made their second start, two of them
have won and both occurred at this meet. Wisely (May 20, $12.40) and
Potential (June 17, $131.20) both broke their maiden in their second career
start for owner James McIngvale and trainer Laura Wohlers, both horses were
dropping from a maiden special weight into maiden claiming race for the
first time, and were ridden by Mick Ruis. The fact that this bay colt does
not return for a claiming price after a better than it looked ninth place
finish where he was soundly beaten by 15-Ѕ lengths strongly indicates he is
doing well and he never had a chance to show his ability in his well bet
debut on July 2 here at Hollywood Park. He took a significant amount of
early support in the wagering on that afternoon based on a series of fast
works at his home base of San Luis Rey Downs which featured him working a
best of seven three furlong work on June 23, and came back five days later to conclude his work tab with another three furlong blow out from the gate that was the fastest of three
that morning. He made an exceptional appearance going on to the track and in
the post parade, as his price began to drift up, he was sent off at 13-1. He was given a good schooling session by Mick Ruis in a race
where he never had a fair chance. He lost all chance when Gran Tenor came in
at the break forcing Longhorn to clip heels and nearly fall after getting
squeezed very badly at the break and almost unseating his rider. Rather push him
hard for some type of run, jockey Mick Ruis took him in hand soon after that
incident and gave him an educational ride while not asking for any run during the race in a inconclusive performance in a strong maiden race that
saw the winner, King of the Roxy, earn an 88 Beyer Speed Figure in the
process. He came back with a sharp five furlong work out that was three
seconds faster than the next worker at that distance on the morning of July
9 to indicate he is doing well and like his stable mates, Wisely and
Potential, if Longhorn displays the traits that these two did in their
second career start for trainer Laura Wohlers you have the makings of a big
upset special at box car odds.
Wagering Strategies:
Play the (6) LONGHORN to WIN (Minimum fair odds of 12-1 or better) Main Exactas: 6-5, 6-8, and 6-10. Small reverse for each.