Kap's Lock Picks SPECIAL Hollywood Turf Cup Tip Sheet

DEL MAR RACETRACK
Race 7 5pm ET post
Grade II Stakes 3YO and up
12 furlongs Turf

Used to be a Grade I race. Used to be run at Hollywood Park Racetrack. Lotsa things are used to be things. Fortunately, I am still gorgeous.

ENTRIES

1 Class Leader (KY) Santiago Gonzalez 120 John W. Sadler 20/1

The 4YO colt finished 2nd at his last outing 2 months ago (tired a bit in the stretch, coming off rail) at the King Pellinore (Santa Anita) coming off a Del Mar Pacific Classic 7th place finish (coming off 1 post) prior to that. Most successful coming off the pace, this post position won't suit him.

2 Up With the Birds (ON) Drayden Van Dyke 124 H. Graham Motion 4/1

5YO horse is one to watch. Coming off 10/18 GI Canadian International Stakes show finish with J. Valazquez riding for the first time. Before that and 8/15 4th place finish at another GI Arlington Million -- won by The Pizza Man. If ponies have a memory, now might be a great time to exact revenge.

3 Danas Best (AUS) Victor Espinoza 120 Philip D'Amato 20/1

This 6YO gelding doesn't seem to be a factor here. Last outing was 6th finish at King Pellinore and before that, 5th at GII Del Mar Handicap. Espinoza is set to be his 4th jockey in last four starts.

4 Quick Casablanca (CHI) Tyler Baze 122 Ronald L. McAnally 30/1

7YO is seemingly in decline, finishing 6th 5th then 2nd in the Pellionore, GIII Last Tycoon, & San Juan Capistrano Stakes respectively.

5 Procurement (FL) Corey S. Nakatani 120 Thomas F. Proctor 20/1

5YO is simply in over the ol' head in this company. Finished 8th (Del Mar AlwOC 8/22) in his last outing, 3rd prior to that (SA Allow 3/15/14)

6 The Pizza Man (IL) Mike E. Smith 126 Roger A. Brueggemann 5/2

Problems abound for the race favorite 6 YO Gelding. The Pizza Man won't have his regular rider Florent Geroux, has seen the canceling of a planned trip to run in the Nov. 29 Japan Cup on account of a lung infection, is coming off a 5th place finish in the BC Turf, and finished in show at last year's Hollywood Turf. In short, I don't see it, gentlepersons.

7 Ganesh (BRZ) Alex O. Solis 126 Richard E. Mandella 8/1

6YO is worth a looksie. New Jockey on his back, but in last three outings with Prat finished in the money 8/22 Del Mar Handicap GrII (3rd), 5/24 GrII Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita (2nd), 4/25 Last Tycoon GrIII at Santa Anita (2nd). Seems okay running behind and in a field this size, with this position -- there should be plenty of opportunity to do so. Good chance to factor, not to win.

8 Power Ped (KY) Mario Gutierrez 120 Neil D. Drysdale 20/1

If you throw out the 5YO's last start where he finished 8th in the 10/18/15 GrI Canadian International. Prior, he finished 2nd in the 9/14/15 GrII Kentucky Turf Cup & on 8/22/15 GrII De Mar Handicap ran 4th. He's in comparable company here ad looks to finish in/near the moolah.

9 Texas Ryano (KY) James Graham 120 Carla Gaines 10/1

This  4YO colt is on the upswing. One to watch here, for certain. Finished in the moolah each of his last three runs. The latest a win on turf at the 9/27 King Pellinore coming out of the 6th post well off the pace and wide out. Will figure heavily. Previous races were a 3rd 7/16/15 and then 2nd 8/14/15 place finish at the allowance levels.

10 Generoso (URU) Martin A. Pedroza 124 Paulo H. Lobo 30/1
6YO horse is coming off an 8th place finish in a Santa Anita 10/12 allowance optional claiming race. Prior to that came in 13th on 3/14 at Hipodromo Argentino De Palermo. One would think he's here for a reason -- but whose?

11 Southern Freedom (KY) Martin Garcia 120 Jerry Hollendorfer 20/1

A 4YO colt who's going the opposite way as is Texas Ryano. Finished 5th behind TR at the King Pellinore and being ridden again by the same jockey, in Garcia. Might lead early, but looks to finish toward the back of the middle.

12 Power Foot (KY) Tiago Josue Pereira 120 Neil D. Drysdale 20/1

6YO horse who reads a bit out of its depths here. Last outing was a 4th place showing at GrIII Last Tycoon on 4/25. Finished show in two GrII stakes prior. (3/21 San Luis Rey and 2/7 San Marcos at Del Mar) My guess is he'll return to form at 'home' and finish in the middle of this caliber field. Looks like they tried getting him a win at a lower level, and he didn't have it in him.

13 Wanstead Gardens (ON) Gary L. Stevens 120 Neil French 20/1

A 4YO colt with erratic results at lower levels. Not an easy crowd to step up into, this. Either I got a funny feeling here, or the tuna melt I just ate is laying on me wrong. 

14 Big John B (FL) Rafael Bejarano 124 Philip D'Amato 3/1

Is it fair that I'm dismissing this 6YO gelding on account of his latest performance, never firing at The Breeder's Cup Turf, finishing 10th? In this particular group, I believe so. That said, previous two outtings were wins 8/22 GrII Del Mar Handicap and 7/24 GrIII Cougar II Handicap. My gut is: when pressed, folds.

15 Flamboyant (FR) Brice Blanc 120 Patrick Gallagher 20/1
The middle of the pack is calling this 4YO colt. Breaking from the parking lot should make him listen to said call. Might not make the mid, actually. Finished 6th, 7th, 6th in previous three outings at 8/22 Del Mar Handicap GrII, 4/15 Santa Anita AlwOC, and 11/29/14 Hollywood Derby GrII. Why is there virtually 0 action on who finishes last?

16 Bird E House (KY) Gonzalo Nicolas 120 Michael Pender 30/1
Somewhat of a wild-card, this 4YO gelding. G. Nicolas returns to ride after winning his first time out in BEH's latest go, 8/20 in a starter allowance. Prior to that, ran 8th on 8/1 in a claim. (Both runs at Del Mar.) Not seeing this gelding having the nuts, as it were.

Trifecta Box 2-7-9 

Also Figures 8-13-16

As always and ever -- don't bet the dough dough.
While yer at it, have a great Thanksgiving surrounded by those ya love.