OAK TREE NOTEBOOK BY JOHN MUCCIOLO BLOOD-HORSE MAGAZINE

OAK TREE NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 13, 2010

by John Mucciolo


The top sprinters on the grounds led the way during the Holiday weekend at Hollywood Park.
Ancient Title S. (G1): Klein and Lebherz's SMILING TIGER (Hold That Tiger) continued his ascension to the top of the sprint ranks with his third graded win, and second Grade 1, for trainer Jeff Bonde. Piloted by Russell Baze, the rapid three-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:09 1/5 for the six panels. The Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is next.
Oak Tree Mile (G2): Dugan et al's LIBERIAN FREIGHTER (Bertrando) swept to the lead inside the final furlong and stayed on bravely to post a win in this one for trainer Neil Drysdale. The California-bred gelding recorded five straight unplaced finishes before capturing the Harry Brubaker S. in his previous start and made it two in a row Saturday as a 22-1 longshot. He went one mile on the firm turf in a smart 1:33 1/5 under Martin Garcia.
Morvich H. (G3): Michael Bello et al's QUICK ENOUGH (High Brite), who was claimed this summer, was up to the task in here in posting a comfortable, 1 1/2-length score in this turf dash beneath Pat Valenzuela. The consistent gelding smoked six grassy furlongs in 1:08 2/5 for Doug O' Neill.
Track Stats
From a total of 43 races held over the Inglewood racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 40 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 72 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the Cushion Track oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while two of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (18 percent).
Horses breaking from the rail won four of the eight main-track races on Thursday, but only three of the remaining 24 events on the Cushion oval.
We thought both the main and turf ovals played pretty fairly over the course of the week, with capable runners winning with virtually every running style.
Meet Totals

RACES:		79
CUSHION:		59
TURF:		20
FAVORITES:		33 (42 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		23 (29 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (25 percent)
CUSHION WIRE:		14 (24 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (10/8)
3RD -- MORGANOUSKA (America's Storm) delivered his second consecutive tally in here and has the look of one who could handle open foes after defeating this solid field.
5TH -- UNIONIZE (Dixie Union) found that the drop to the claiming ranks was the perfect remedy in returning to the winner's circle for conditioner Clifford Sise Jr. The four-year-old colt should remain a very tough customer against this type in the future.
7TH -- Making his first start since January 2009, RYEHILL DREAMER (Ire) (Catcher in the Rye) crushed this field on the front end for trainer Julio Canani. The gelded four-year-old came home in a solid :23 4/5 and should improve in the upcoming months.
Saturday (10/9)
5TH -- COLGAN'S CHIP (Cee's Tizzy) did everything but win this race and should be commended for his fine effort for trainer Janine Sahadi. The five-year-old deserves another chance against this type.
8TH -- SUPREME SUMMIT (Cactus Ridge) ran a winning race in here, rallying from last to finish a clear second on this day for Mike Puype. We've liked the four-year-old for a long time and give him a fine chance to break through at this level in the future.
Sunday (10/10)
2ND -- SCHUYLKILL PUNCH (Officer) was well clear while second at first asking for trainer Kristin Mulhall. The juvenile colt will be tough to upend with a similar performance next out.
3RD -- SUGARINTHEMORNING (Candy Ride [Arg]) found the drop back to allowance ranks was easy after a concise win in this one for conditioner Ron McAnally. The talented juvenile filly should be stakes-bound in her next endeavor.
7TH -- We were glad to see the hard-trying BURG BERG (Johannesburg) break through with a black-type tally in this affair.
Monday (10/11)
3RD -- John Shirreffs rarely sends out a debuting winner, so when we saw MAKOMA (Malibu Moon) dust this field late in her first run, we decided to make a note on the sophomore filly. The homebred could be any kind.
5TH -- SYLLABUS (Smart Strike) smoked this field in a very fast final clocking for the level, and we'll tab the Sise trainee for success in his next start.
A Look Ahead
Saturday's $150,000 Oak Tree Derby (G2) for three-year-olds on the turf is the lone graded attraction this weekend.