HOLLYWOOD PARK STABLE NOTES

Wednesday, July 10, 1996

By Mark Midland

OCEAN VIEW HAS SIGHTS SET ON HOLLYWOOD OAKS
After a promising second-place finish in the Oak Leaf Stakes (Gr. I), Ocean View was sent to New York for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Gr. I), but was sidelined a couple of days before the race. Now stabled in Charlie Whittingham's barn, the 3-year-old filly will be searching for her first stakes win in Saturday's Grade I Hollywood Oaks.

"She's been training very well," said Whittingham, who has won the Oaks six times, most recently with Pattern Step in 1988. "We would have liked to get one more race in her but we didn't have time."

The daughter of Gone West finished a troubled fourth in her comeback race June 8, but will have to contend with the likes of Antespend and Supercilious in the race.

"She has a lot of ability," he said. "How she handles this group, we'll see."

In other developments:

Supercilious worked five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 Monday morning for trainer Richard Mandella.

Probables for the 51st running of the Hollywood Oaks, to be run Saturday, July 13 at 1 1/8 miles: Antespend, Chris Antley; Listening, Chris McCarron; Najecam, no rider; Ocean View, Alex Solis, and Supercilious, Laffit Pincay Jr, and Princess Steffi, no rider.

Possible: Perceived Value, no rider.

DERNIER EMPEREUR HAS YET TO FULFILL BIG REPUTATION
When Dernier Empereur shipped to Churchill Downs for the 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic as one of the top handicap runners overseas, he was billed as the best European chance to repeat Arcangues' 1993 upset. He was slammed into the rail that day, failed to beat a horse, and things haven't gone very well since. Trainer Ben Cecil thinks the 6-year-old can produce a top effort in Sunday's $100,000 Bel Air Handicap.

"1 1/16 miles is a little short for him," Cecil said. "But on class alone, he should be very tough."

The son of Trempolino finished fourth behind Fastness in the May 12 Inglewood Handicap in his 1996 debut. Inspired by the effort, Cecil then shipped him to New York for the Early Times Manhattan (Gr. I) June 8 where he finished a disappointing eighth.

"He was very hot in the post parade, and he didn't run a jump," he said. "We scoped him and found a ton of mucus. It's something 70% of my barn has gone or is going through right now. I don't think he was 100% that day."

In addition to his 14th place finish in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic, Dernier Empereur tried the dirt twice in New York last fall with mixed results. He finished fourth behind Cigar in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but was eased in the mud in the Stuyvesant Handicap.

"When he ran against Cigar, he broke badly and I don't think he was disgraced," he said. "He's trained well on the dirt and I'm not worried that he will handle it."

Cecil has high expectations for Dernier Empereur, who has been in Southern California since December.

"If he runs well, then we'll think about the Pacific Classic," he said.

In other developments: Dare And Go worked a half-mile in :49 Wednesday morning.

"He went very well," trainer Richard Mandella said. "There's a good possibility we'll run. We just need to take it day by day since it's such a short time in between races."

Cleante worked five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 Wednesday morning.

Trainer Ian Jory sent his pair of Bel Air runners to the track for six-furlong workouts Monday morning. Flying Marfa went in 1:13 2/5 while R Friar Tuck was timed in 1:13 1/5.

Bon Point worked four furlongs in :48 2/5 Tuesday and remains a possibility for trainer Bobby Frankel.

Probables for the 27th running of the Bel Air Handicap, to be run Sunday, July 14 at 1 1/16 miles: Cleante, Chris McCarron; Dernier Empereur, Goncalino Almeida; Flying Marfa, Rene Douglas; R Friar Tuck, Brice Blanc, and Bon Point or The Exeter Man, Eddie Delahoussaye.

Possible: Dare And Go, no rider.

HESABULL COULD BE FAVORED IN $500,000 SWAPS ON SUPER SUNDAY, JULY 21
Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. The $500,000 Swaps is coming up light this year, and just 11 days before the race, it looks as if favortism could lie with Hesabull and Prince Of Thieves.

"You're kidding," said trainer Mike Chambers, who conditions Hesabull. "That would be great."

The Dispersal colt has won four of his last five, including a one-length victory in the June 30 Affirmed Handicap.

"We'd love to be favored as long as he runs like it," he said. "But you never know who will show up for a half-million."

Hesabull has come to hand lately, and ran from off the lead for the first time in the Affirmed.

"He's starting to get more mature and relaxed," he said. "He's starting to act like a racehorse."

Probables for the $500,000 Swaps, to be run Super Sunday, July 21 at 1 1/8 miles:

Hesabull, Prince Of Thieves, Slews Royal Son, Semoran, Zanferrier.

Possibles: Dr. Caton*, Benton Creek*, Doman Lore*.

*Must be supplemented at a cost of $20,000 by July 18.

CALIFORNIA RUNNERS TO TAKE ON CIGAR IN CITATION CHALLENGE SATURDAY
California runners Eltish and Dramatic Gold are set to take on Cigar in Saturday's Arlington Citation Challenge, which will be simulcast to Hollywood Park. Post time is 2:45 p.m.

Eddie Delahoussaye will ride Eltish and Corey Nakatani has the mount aboard Dramatic Gold.

L. A. GALAXY HOLDS SOCCER CLINIC AT HOLLYWOOD PARK JULY 20
Members of the red-hot Los Angeles Galaxy will conduct a free soccer clinic for fans of all ages at Hollywood Park, on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Mauricio Cienfuegos, Jorge Salecido, Dan Calichman, Guillermo Tara and others will be on hand to conduct drills, practice sessions and demonstrations. In addition, participants will also receive a free specifically designed Western Union/Ralphs poster of the team.

"Hollywood Park is thrilled to host the league's finest soccer team," said Keith Chamblin, Director of Marketing for Hollywood Park. "We encourage everyone to come early, enjoy the soccer and stay for the races."

Gates to the Park will open at 9:30 a.m. Racing begins at 1 p.m. immediately following the clinic.

The soccer clinic will be held in the North Park Picnic area of Hollywood Park. Admission to the L. A. Galaxy Soccer Clinic and Hollywood Park is $6 per person. Children under 18 accompanied by an adult enter for free.

TOC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING JULY 13
Thoroughbred Owners of California will be holding a general membership meeting Saturday, July 13, at Hollywood Park. TOC President John Van de Kamp, Chairman Ed Friendly, and members of the Board will be present to discuss the organization's aspirations, accomplishments, and legislative work. All TOC members and their invited guests are encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting.

The meeting will commence at 11 a.m., and will be held in the Sunset Room of Hollywood Park's Turf Club. No reservations are required.

FINISH LINES: Jockey Matt Garcia rode his 150th and 151st career winners Sunday. . . Post time for Super Sunday, July 21, will be 12 p.m. . . San Felipe Stakes winner Odyle returned to the worktab working three furlongs in :38 4/5 Wednesday . . .Soul Of The Matter worked six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 Wednesday . . . Megan's Interco worked four furlongs in :48 2/5 in preparation for the July 21 Khaled Handicap . . .American Handicap winner Labeeb went three furlongs in :38 3/5 . . . Track Gal drilled three furlongs in :34 3/5 for the $60,000 Rick Lozano Friday night . . . Larry The Legend worked six furlongs Wednesday morning at Santa Anita. The Illinois-bred colt could come back in the Aug. 18 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs . . . Sandpit drilled six furlongs in 1:14 3/5 Tuesday as he prepares to defend his title in the $700,000 Caesars Palace Turf Championship where he could face Awad, Lassigny and Windsharp, who went a mile in 1:39 4/5 the same morning . . .Twice The Vice worked six furlongs in 1:13 Monday in preparation for the July 21 Vanity Handicap. Probables for the race include Serena's Song, Jewel Princess, and Borodislew, who drilled a mile in 1:39 4/5 Tuesday morning. . .Other notable works on Tuesday: Caprifoil, :59 2/5; Raw Gold, :59 2/5; On Monday: Royal Chariot, :49 1/5; Urbane, 1:01 4/5; Angel In My Heart, 1:14 4/5 . . .

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