Notes from the Racing Underground

As I was focus on Churchill Downs during last week-end Hollywood Park had some great looking performances by a number of talented runners.

CROWN OF THORNS BY DAVID MORANT

"Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2): Spendthrift Farm's CROWN OF THORNS (Repent) gradually wore down the prohibitive favorite in the latter stages of this one to post a minor upset for conditioner Richard Mandella. The lightly raced five-year-old endured 1 1/16 miles on the Cushion oval in 1:42 3/5 under Tyler Baze.



Senorita S. (G3): George Krikorian's homebred STAR BILLING (Dynaformer) took command at the top of the stretch and cruised home an impressive 2 3/4-length winner in this tilt for John Shirreffs. The unbeaten sophomore filly finished a mile on the firm lawn in 1:34 2/5 beneath Chantal Sutherland.
Add Carla Gaines to the trainers-to-watch list, which also still includes Mike Puype, Peter Miller, Mike Mitchell and the Mike Harrington babies.

 The Gaines-trained TEMPLE'S DOOR (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) returns to this list after winning his second in succession, this time stepping up in class to top a much more experienced bunch. The sophomore colt deserves a long look in his next run.

HE'S A DANCE STAR (Perfect Mandate) dueled to the lead and gamely battle on late to be a nice second behind a very solid turf sprinter in this one for trainer John Sadler. We'll tab the Cal-bred for success against similar next time.

 Mitchell might have a claimed a useful runner in the winning CARBONITE (Aldebaran), who rallied gamely inside the final yards. The Golden Gate shipper looms a big threat against this type in his return.

 We've waited a while for COIL (Point Given) to return, and the lightly-raced Bob Baffert charge delivered with a nice victory. The three-year-old is of stakes potential we believe.
SMASH (Smart Strike) came off a long break to test a nice horse while finishing more than nine lengths clear of third in this event. The twice-raced sophomore will obviously be a major player in his return.

 KEVLAR KID (Rock Hard Ten) returns to this list after a fine win in this one for the red-hot Gaines barn following an authoritative tally. Put into the race sooner than usual, the favorite easily dispatched of his foes and was flattered when the horse that beat him last out returned to win a Grade 3 race.

 The Puype-trained MIZDIRECTION (Mizzen Mast) ran a hole in the wind in this one, dominating this turf sprint by a remarkable 11 1/2 lengths under Mike Smith. The three-year-old lass might not have toppled much in this one, but we don't see too many win by that margin on this course, especially at six panels.

 UNCLE SAM (Tapit) took another step forward while a very good second in this one for Baffert, and we still have hopes for this one to be a force in graded races later this summer.

RED SUN (Redattore [Brz]) was ultra-game off a long layoff for crafty conditioner Gaines, leading at every call and holding off a slew of challengers en route to a fine tally. A stakes race should be next.

Saturday's $150,000 Jim Murray H. (G2) and the $100,000 Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial S. (G3) on Sunday lead the way this week."

BY BLOOD-HORSE MAGAZINE