SUN SETS ON HOLLYWOOD MEET
A fine weekend of stakes action will be held during closing week at Hollywood Park. Saturday’s main event is the G1 $250,000 American Oaks, with dual graded heroine Cambina among the ones to beat in this grass affair. Trained by Jeff Bonde, the daughter of Hawk Wing has been close in third in her last pair but could easily turn the tables with a minor step forward on this occasion.
G3 Regret Stakes victress Bizzy Caroline has surged to three straight wins, all on the grass, and looms a big threat on the ship in for Kenny McPeek. Another shipper, Royal Delta, was last seen taking the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and could be turning into a monster for conditioner Bill Mott. The lightly raced daughter of Empire Maker is three-for-four and should handle this surface just fine.
G2 Honeymoon Handicap runner-up Star Billing, sharp allowance winner Nereid and G2 Hollywood Oaks third Love Theway Youare, are among the main threats to the likely betting options.
Grade 2 win machine Ultra Blend, Bayakoa Handicap queen Washington Bridge, G1 Madison Stakes winner Shotgun Gulch and multiple stakes queen Tanda, are among the top draws in the deep, G2 $200,000 A Gleam Handicap on the Oaks undercard.
Majestic City will go for his third straight win in Sunday’s G3 $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes. The impressive son of City Zip has toyed with two fields at this meeting and will be ultra tough with another step forward. Maiden winners Night Tide and Pend Orielle are the likely best options outside of the favorite in here.
The G3 $100,000 Sunset Handicap is the annual closing race of the spring/summer meet, and two-time Grade 1 hero Acclamation would be the one to beat if he opts here. The Donal Warren stayer has been in superb form as of late and could be the top marathoner on the West Coast.
Chilean import Ashtar, Grade 1-placed Celtic New Year, local allowance winner Victorian Prince and Atticus Jack from the barn of Brian Koriner, are also likely for this one.