Rain Does Not Interrupt Training At Hollywood Park
A trio of Walther Solis-trained workmates gallop over the all-weather Cushion Track early Friday morning.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2010) – It’s been business as usual with horses training daily on Cushion Track despite heavy rainfall throughout the week at Hollywood Park.
Bob Baffert and several other trainers have shipped horses across town to work on Hollywood Park’s synthetic surface. Baffert’s workers have included Pacific Classic champion Richard’s Kid, Swaps winner Misremembered and Acorn winner Gabby’s Golden Gal.
Hollywood Park became the first Southern California track to install a synthetic surface prior to the 2006 Autumn Meet.
“ZENYATTA, A Living Legend" DVD On Sale Now
A limited number of “ZENYATTA, A Living Legend” DVDs are on sale in the Hollywood Park gift shop. The popular DVD includes interviews and each of her 14 starts, culminating with the sensational victory over a world-class field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
The price of the DVD is $10 plus tax. Order by phone or email while supplies last. $12.53 includes shipping and handling. To order please call 310.330.7165 or email giftshop@hollywoodpark.com.
A donation from each DVD sale will be made to CARMA, a charity benefiting retired thoroughbred racehorses.
$300,000 Hollywood Starlet - Grade I - 29th Running - 1 1/16 Miles
Jockey Quotes
RAFAEL BEJARANO, BLIND LUCK, Winner: “Wow! I worked her the last four times and she’s been unbelievable in the morning. She’s been relaxing so well in her works and has been showing a big turn of foot. She did the same thing today. I think she’s going to be a real good filly. I had so much horse I wanted to wait as long as I could. When I asked her a little she showed me a big turn of foot.”
VICTOR ESPINOSA, MISS HEATHER LEE, Second: “She ran great. She’s learning right now. I think she’s going to be better. It’s just a matter of time. The more races she runs in, the better she’ll get.”
GARRETT GOMEZ, BEAUTICIAN, Seventh: “She wasn’t very happy today. I didn’t know her very well, but she was just weak turning for home. At the three eighths she weakened on me very bad. I moved on her a couple of times but she just staggered. I just took care of her after that.”
Ascanio Voted Trainer Of The Meet, Ventura Horse Of The Meet
Humberto Ascanio was voted trainer of the meet.
© Benoit Photo
Ventura, winning The Matriarch for Ascanio, was voted horse of the meet. © Benoit Photo
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2009) — Ventura, who gave Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel his last wish with a victory in The Matriarch, was voted Horse of the Meet by media as the 27-day Autumn Meet closed Sunday at Hollywood Park.
Humberto Ascanio, assistant to Frankel for 35 years, took over the Hall of Fame trainer’s Hollywood Park stable following his death from lymphoma on Nov. 16 and was voted trainer of the meet as he saddled three graded stakes winners.
Ascanio sent out Fluke to win the Grade I Citation Handicap on Nov. 27, then saddled Ventura as she finished her career with a dramatic win in the Grade I Matriarch one day later.
Blind Luck Rolls To Seven-Length Victory In Hollywood Starlet
Blind Luck draws away under a hand ride by jockey Rafael Bejarano to win the Grade I Hollywood Starlet. © Benoit Photo
Blind Luck and Bejarano hit the wire seven lengths in front.
© Benoit Photo
The Hollywood Starlet victors head for the winner's circle.
© Benoit Photo
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2009) — Second-choice Blind Luck made her own luck Sunday in the $405,250 Hollywood Starlet, making an explosive move early in the stretch and drawing away under a hand ride by jockey Rafael Bejarano to win the Grade I event by a widening seven lengths.
The chestnut daughter of Pollard’s Vision was well back much of the way while running along the rail, but easily moved into contention when moved outside on the far turn by Bejarano. The Starlet seemed wide open for a split second as the field turned for home, but Blind Luck quickly put the issue to rest with her exhilarating move.
She covered 1 1/16 miles Cushion Track in 1:41.96 and was full of run at the wire, continuing to draw farther and farther away from her six rivals after crossing the wire.
CashCall Winner Lookin At Lucky Joins Elite Company
Lookin At Lucky stamped himself as the favorite for 2-year-old champion colt. © Benoit Photo
Trainer Bob Baffert reported Sunday from Santa Anita that Lookin At Lucky, winner of the $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park Saturday, and a large supporting cast of rising 2-year-old stars all returned in good shape.
“They all looked great,” said Baffert after recording the first Hollywood Park quadruple of his career with Lookin At Lucky and three other 2-year-old colts.
“It feels good to see a nice horse become a millionaire,” said Baffert after a record fifth victory in the Grade I race at 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track. The $400,000 first prize raised the colt’s earnings to $1,243,300 after his fifth victory in six starts for co-owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.
Baffert Caps Four-Win Day With Record Fifth Futurity Victory
Lookin At Lucky, under Garrett Gomez, gives trainer Bob Baffert a record fifth victory in the CashCall Futurity.
© Benoit Photo
Lookin At Lucky stamped himself as the favorite for 2-year-old champion colt. © Benoit Photo
The son of Smart Strike earned $400,000 for his Grade I victory boosting his earnings to $1,243,000. © Benoit Photo
Owners Karl Watson, left, and Mike Pegram, right, celebrate after Lookin At Lucky's victory. © Benoit Photo
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2009) — Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert capped a four-win day with a record fifth victory by probable 2-year-old champion Lookin At Lucky in Saturday’s $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park.
Baffert, who saddled eventual Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile to win his fourth Futurity in 2008, broke the record he shared with D. Wayne Lukas as Lookin At Lucky covered 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track in 1:43.30 under jockey Garrett Gomez to finish three-quarters of a length clear of Noble’s Promise.
The victory was the fifth in six starts for Lookin At Lucky and helped ease the pain Baffert and owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman felt when he drew the 13-post in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and was beaten a head by Vale of York after running wide most of the way.
$750,000 CashCall Futurity - Grade I - 29th Running - 1 1/16 Miles
Jockey Quotes
GARRETT GOMEZ, LOOKIN AT LUCKY, Winner: “I’ve always known he was versatile and could do whatever we want with him. He did everything good today. He was traveling super easy when we turned for home. He just waits on horses and only does as much as he has to. When I turned for home he quickened for about 100 yards then went into relax mode. It always looks like he’s stretched to win, but that’s not the case. He’s going to learn more as he goes along because he’s got a super mind to him. We’ve got to get him to where he puts his competition away and sprints to the wire. He’s full of talent and I’m getting even more excited about him.”
RAFAEL BEJARANO, NOBLE’S PROMISE, Second: “The horse did very well. From where he was drawn, I tried to get him comfortable early. My horse came running to the end, he never quit. The other horse (Lookin At Lucky) just had a better post and that really helped him. I know I can beat him next time.”
MIKE SMITH, MAKE MUSIC FOR ME, Third: “He ran dynamite. I thought he ran great…I was very, very pleased. I loved the way he galloped out. There’s certainly more to him.”
Trainer Quotes
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