The Hollywood Prevue is no more with the closing of Hollywood Park. This year the Bob Hope takes center stage. Polytrack for the final time and 7 furlongs the distance. Several promising maiden winners with recent workouts passed on this race. Bronze Star, Dortmund, Punctuate, Lord Nelson all waiting for other spots.
The Skinny:
Sebastian Heart dominated a MCLM75K race at Santa Anita as the 2/1 favorite. Last race lost to 4/5 Lord Nelson in a strong minor stakes race. Running style is to track in mid pack and should like the 7 furlong distance coming from just off the pace at 7 furlongs.
Story to Tell lost to Lord Nelson last race at 6F and closed late to finish 3rd. Has run well twice and thrown in a couple of clunkers as well. Expecting a strong effort as he has some muddied up past performances.
Diamond Majesty is a son of Lookin at Lucky who won the last race on the turf. Should run better on dirt and Poly should be a good surface for him. Expensive 2-year-old in training with 225K purchase tag. Should be live in this spot and gets aggressive rider Martin Pedroza.
Prime Engine – Comes South and goes up in class for this race. Don’t be deceived by that last race. The 1/9 favorite finished last and Prime Engine inherited the win when the favorite in that race Trackattacker ran himself into the ground early. Recent works are fast and should be in shape, but still wonder how he will respond when he is “asked the question” on the turn.
All Indians won his only start at Delmar. faded badly when pressing the pace against a 4/5 favorite last race. Less speed signed on in this race and should be able to last longer on the front end with slower fractions. Not sure he can finish in front at 7 furlongs with this group.
No Problem graduated with a Maiden Claiming 75K win last race. Effort looked good on paper and visually the tape shows quick, fast stride for the son of Munnings. Munnings was best sprinting and No Problem is from his first crop. February foals ran evenly in debut race which may turn out to be a key race. First race was a full field of horses with fast fractions. The pace set up for a closer and No Problem ran competitively in that race.
St. Joe Bay gets Elvis and won by 10 lengths his last race, should be tough on the cutback to 7 furlongs from one mile and does not need the lead. Trainer does well with 2 year olds and Elvis is ring well at Delmar through the opening days. Outside post can be advantage if fast race shape develops.
The Selection:
No Problem is my choice, fair odds are 6/1, this is a tough race and I would not take less than 4/1 on Story to Tell. Prime Engine is also very vulnerable off a “dressed up” win that looks better on paper than visually. St. Joe Bay also figures in this spot coming off a strong win and on the cutback.