Hollywood Turf Cup: Odds and Analysis

Ralis – Three year old non-winner of 3 lifetime eligible. Ninth in the Breeders Cup Turf earlier this month at 83 to 1. Beaten by a couple of others in here two back. He’s a Cal bred who broke his maiden going 5/8’s vs. state breds at Santa Anita, then went on to win the G1 Hopeful last year at Saratoga. They are obviously high on this horse as he’s run in some tough races, but so far unable to get there since switching to turf. Only 6 to 1 in here for good connections and only needs to make up a couple lengths on the favorite. Shot.
Royal Albert Hall – Blinkers go on for the first time and change is good. This is the other runner for O’Neill and gets Desormeaux. Another who’s NW3L eligible but a year older than his stablemate. Fourteen times in the money but only two wins makes him hard to back but jockey/trainer combined for 24% winners over the past two years and equipment changes oftentimes prove an effective angle for handicappers. Your all.
Flamboyant – At 3 to 1, the odds maker sees something that overrides the glaring 0 for 6 stats at Del Mar. Does own 5 lifetime wins for $750,000 in earnings but he’s facing the same couple of runners in Ashley and Ryano that’s beaten him on several occasions over the past year. Hall of Famer Smith sticks and he’ll be going an extra 1/4 mile for trainer Gallagher who has sent out one winner at the meet already. But who is 0 for 15 when teaming up with the HOF Smith.
Texas Ryano – Also exits the BC Turf when finishing 6th, a quarter length ahead of Ralis, at $67 to a dollar. Talamo back aboard for Gaines who together are 0 for 8 at Del Mar over the past year. Beaten only 5 lengths by The Pizza Man in this race last year. Beyer’ed 100 or better in last 3 and sitting on a bullet 5f move a week ago but another who’s been beaten by the favorite multiple times.
Quick Casablanca – 5th in this race last year beaten less than 3 lengths. Sitting on back to back bullet works since his last race for McAnally. Last win was over yielding ground in the G3 Capistrano at almost 2 miles. HOF trainers numbers are poor across the board with this type of runner.
Power Foot – What do you do with a horse who’s 7 years old, has just 4 lifetime wins, but was third in this race last year? You try ’em again this year, if he keeps earning a check. Has had every rider under the sun and gets a new one today in Van Dyke who’s at 19% for the meet. But this guy has had Stevens, Desormeaux and Bejarano before so what’s the use, right? 0 for 7 at Del Mar and 20 to 1 on the ML. But remember, Heaven’s Runway took the Fall Highweight at Aqueduct yesterday so anything can happen at the races.
Ashleyluvssugar – Cal bred took two in a row before finishing 5th in the BC Turf last time out under Stevens. Owns two wins at the distance so shouldn’t be a concern for runner expected to set all the pace.