6/21/2009

In looking over the remaining weeks of the summer meet at Hollywood Park I realized that most of the fireworks are still to come over the track which traditionally peaks around the 4th of July weekend.  Of course, as soon as next weekend Zenyatta is set to defend her crown and rights to Horse of The Year honors with an expected start in the Vanity Hcp at 1 1/8 miles over the cushion track.

Next, the American Oaks for 3yo fillies at 1 1/4 has become an international event and the Triple Bend which is a Grade 1 will hopefully pad our bankrolls for the rest of the summer leading into Del Mar which will be my focus as soon as we get the big holiday cards in the books.  By the way, I have been watching a colt train that will be super live in that 7f contest named Rush With Thunder who has looked like a firecracker all summer and appears set for another smasher on July 5th. The big one of the meet being the Hollywood Gold Cup figures to be a wide open great betting race with a full field. Last but not least, the babies will take the stage to end the meet off with the Juvenile and the Landaluce Stakes on 7/12 and the Swaps for 3yo on 7/18. We have been watching the contenders for all these events working out in the a.m. as well as running in the p.m. very closely and hope to provide some keen insight once the races draw near. Then, I will turn the focus to Del Mar and all the little angles that I have been studying through the years ranging from physicality for the Polytrack on horse body types to the right post positions on the tricky Jimmy Durante turf course and not to forget the traditional Horse For Course lists that might be invaluable.  That is an abbreviated list of topics with many more to come by opening day slated for July 22nd WHERE THE TURF MEETS THE SURF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!