Hollywood Park Race Track - July 9, 2008 R1

July 9, 2008 Race 1
Clm 62500

There are five horses entered in this race, and three can be addressed at the same time because they came out of the same last race. These are Suit Yourself,Professnl Courtesy, and South Bay Scotty. Having watched the race, South Bay Scotty appears to be the best, as he defeated Professnl Courtesy by 2 1/2 and Suit Yourself by 4 1/2 despite having some trouble at the 3/8ths pole. The DRF comment is steadied, but it wasn't quite that bad, but enough to have cost him a length at least, which nets to 3 1/2 lengths over Professnl Courtesy.

According to GHR speed figures, the 89 beyer that South Bay Scotty received is about right, and he only seems to be improving, being a very long striding type horse. When these types get good, they often make big steps forward which is what he appears to have done in his last race. It is true that Professnl Courtesy was off a bit slow, but it may account for at most 1/2 lenght in my judgement having watched him break. Suit Yourself had a good trip up until the 1/8 pole, at which point he checked in behind horses, but it was clear he was outmatched at that point anyway. He does get Rafael Bejarano as his jockey and has a solid trainer in Mike Puype, but unless South Bay Scotty doesn't show up, I would stand against.

The main race of interest for Fantasy Free is the 2/21 6F race in which he finished 5th beaten 3 3/4 lengths. After producing a GHR number, I believe the beyer of 81 ought to be closer to a 76, which actually makes some of his other beyers he received before and after that race reasonable. That is about 5 lengths behind South Bay Scotty.

The last horse to address is Storm Brave who gets Garret Gomez aboard. The 6/7 race vs. Winsome Charm ought to be looked at carefully. The DRF comment says "steadied start", but after watching the break, I honestly didn't see it. Maybe he didn't get a perfectly clear path coming out of the gate, but hardly a steady. Still, I do think this horse can get up for second, especially with Garret aboard. He was hanging in there pretty well with a horse named Instant Action and Street Lights, and those horses I think are mid 85-87 beyer types.

Win
South Bay Scotty (2)

Exacta
South Bay Scotty / Storm Brave (1)