How fitting. Hollywood Park cancels the Sunday closing day card after the second race because of unsafe racing conditions when the jockeys met with track management and discussed a part of the track that was "unsafe and deep." While there was significant rain at Hollywood Park over the past 48 hours, the "all weather" label put on the synthetic tracks has truly become a joke. Lets hope the return of the dirt at Santa Anita will once again allow for races to be contested in the rain, over a muddy surface and put an end to this era of synthetics which has been truly a joke.
All eyes will be on Santa Anita when the "new" dirt surface will be unveiled on opening day, Sunday, December 26. So far the track has drawn good reviews from horsemen and owners and has withstood a pretty good pounding from the rains that have hit the area over the past 72 hours. However we can also remember when the same thing was being said when the synthetic courses were installed. Maybe that's why everyone is holding their breaths at the moment.
Santa Anita will race on a Thursday through Sunday platform until March 2011 when they will revert back to a Wednesday through Sunday platform. We agree with this and hope that it helps with the short fields that have been plaguing the Southern California industry.
Saturday's Grade I $750,000 Cashcall Futurity was taken by Comma to the Top but not before the 2-year-old gelded son of Bwana Charlie (Indian Charlie) caused a 25-minute delay as the Peter Miller trainee had lost a rear shoe walking to the paddock before the race and required some shoe repair before the start. It didn't matter, Comma to the Top outran his rivals at $7 and the winner looked he could have run without shoes, or an extra pair for that matter. Corey Nakatani rode the winner for his sixth win in 10 lifetime starts.
Congrats to trainer Mel Stute for winning his 2,000 career race this past week at Hollywood Park.
Heading out to Santa Anita this upcoming weekend? Don't forget to take us with you! http://www.horseracing-selections.com/
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