NEWS STORY 56 - CHAMPAGNE'S SUMMER UPDATE AND HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTES
by Champagne Joe

The views and opinions in this article are those of Champagne's and are not always consistent with the views of www.TheStickHorseRacing.Com

Southern Calif. Spring Update & Kentucky derby Notes

Hollywood Park Update 6/23/06
Just a bit past the halfway point of Hollywoods spring/summer '06 meeting and attendance/handle figures have been OK, not spectacular, but good enough to guarantee a fall '06 meeting. Tentative plans for 2007 meetings remain just that, tentative plans. The California Horse racing Board has mandated that all California race tracks with scheduled meetings of more than two weeks MUST replace their existing dirt tracks with the new "Polytrack" material in 2007. This would, in effect, remove the angle play of "horses for courses" since all non turf racing surfaces would then be the same and invariable. It appears that Polytrack surfaces are less stressful for the horses thereby (hopefully) leading to less equine mis-steps and injuries, however no study has been concluded as to what effect the inhalation of polydust particles may have upon the racing horses or the jockeys who will daily ride over such surfaces.

And speasking of jockeys, the arrival of Martin Garcia into the SoCal jockey colony has had some impact though not as much as was anticipated. Garcia is a very good rider but the group of jockeys already working the SoCal circuit (P. Val, Cory Nakatani, M. Pedroza, V. Espinoza et al.) are also very good riders. We now expect Norberto Arroyo to permanently move his tack from NY to SoCal very soon thereby making it an even stronger jockey colony. Young jockey Juan Ochoa has shown himself to be a daring rider who is willing to maneuver his mounts and weave thru holes other riders might shy away from in order to give his horse the best chance for success. He is one on the upswing and is worth watching. Jon Kenton Court is another under rated jockey down here who also brings in a good share of nice priced winners. Keep an eye on him as well, and don't count him out of any race.

Here's some bad news involving top trainer Doug O Niell; one of his horses (actually a non winner) tested positive for Carbon Dioxide (milkshaking?) following a race. By CHRB rules this puts his entire stable in what is called the "Detention Barn" for 30 days, meaning that every horse he sends out will now be more closely checked before and after each race. (This includes the top rated Lava Man, who will likely be the odds on favorite in the upcoming Hollywood derby on July 8th). Meanwhile trainer Jeff Mullins continues to rack up winner after winner. These two trainers always seem to do well at Hollywood. At this time (June 17) the Del mar racetrack is the site of the San Diego County Fair, but in just a bit more than one month the thoroughbreds will be here (Opening Day July 19). Fans down here can't wait! I'm anxious as well..So

I'll see you all there!

*HOLLYWOOD'S FUTURE*

Santa Anitas soon to end winter/spring 2006 season has proven to be one of its most successful meetings in recent years. Mostly full fields, drawn by a well spaced intelligently scheduled stakes program & generous fan giveaways has added up to increased handles & on-track attendance. These results have confounded the sports naysayers, detractors and doomsday prophets whose constant drumbeat lamentations have prematurely predicted that thoroughbred racing, especially in Southern California, is definitely a dying industry with little if any chance for recussitation. However, it certainly now appears that any reports of this sports' imminent demise in So. Cal has been highly exagerated and exceedingly most premature. An age old adage inthe business world is that in order to generate profit & growth, one must properly present and offer a quality product.

*JOCKEY NOTES*

Thoroughbred horse racing is a proven product with centuries old traditions and a legacy from which legends have been born, stories have been told, and movies have been made. It is in keeping with history that Santa Anita, by presenting a solid season of quality racing has proven without a doubt that thoroughbred racing in So. Calif. is quite alive & well. And now it remains for the Bay meadows Racing Association, present operation managers of Hollywood Park, to prove that they can continue this renaissance in So. Cal racing. Obviously they will be working with a more than slight disadvantage, what with Hall of fame jockey Kent Desormeaux moving his tack to N.Y., (trainer James Cassidy will have to find another "go to" man), jockey Felipe Martinezs' recent sudden retirement announcement, along with a number of So. Cal based trainers talking about shipping horses to the east coast circuits, and thats not even mentioning Hollywood Parks' location, in an older section of Inglewood, situated amidst a somewhat neglected surrounding neighborhood. Even so, Hollywood management believes it can overcome & negate these drawbacks by offering a schedule of 31 stakes races, improved grandstand and club areas, a revamped turf and main track, and an all over general overhaul. In addition, following santa Anitas lead, several great fan appreciation giveaways will be offered (see Hollywood Park.com for complete details & updates on these events). This should make for a continuing successful 2006 So. Cal racing year.

*LOOKING FORWARD*

We look forward to an especially competitive jockey duel between Victor Espinoza & Patrick Valenzuela (And talk is that Northern Calif. circuit red hot riding phenom Matt Garcia may elect to ride here). Also expect solid showings from both Jon Court & Garret Gomez. What consequence the possible arrival of Matt Garcia may have on the final jockey standings ius yet to be determined but it should be significant. A lot will have to do with the trainers for which he opts to ride. Another possibility which has So. Cal fans very excited is the chance that Rafeal Bejerano may also opt to ride the So. Cal circuit. This could shape up to be the most competitive jockey ranking race in years. Some trainer/jockey combos to watch for include Avila/Berrio, Headley/Solis, Canani/Nakatani, and of course never overlook any P. Val mount, (or Matt Garcia if he rides here), and if Berjerano chooses to hang his tack at Hollywood, then by all means, follow him as well. Hollywood Park spring/summer meet runs April 26 to July 16, so I'll see you there!

*DERBY NOTES*

P.S. Note: Brother Derek proved he is the real deal with another solid performance in the 1 1/8 mile G.1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8th. He finished that win with lots to spare. definitely the Kentucky Derby fav who should win at Churchill with ease and who could just possibly become the 1st Triple Crown winner of the 21st century! Here's Champagne Joe's list of top Derby contendors: 1. Brother Derek, 2. Sweetnorthernsaint, 3. Barbaro, 4. Lawyer Ron, 5. Bob N John. Until next time..good luck to all!

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR COMPANY ON THE STICK-CLICK HERE

__________________________________________________

RETURN TO OUR HEADLINES PAGE

TO READ OUR OTHER HEADLINES Press Here