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HOLLYWOOD DERBY (G1), 9TH-HOL, $300,000, 3YO, 1 1/4MT, 4:35 P.M. PST, 11-29

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 BLACK BEAR ISLAND (IRE) CANANI JULIO C TALAMO JOSEPH 122
2 THE USUAL Q. T. CASSIDY JAMES ESPINOZA V 122
3 STRAIGHT STORY GOLDBERG ALAN E SMITH M E 122
4 RESCUE SQUAD MCGAUGHEY CLAUDE III CASTRO E 122
5 BLAZING SPIRIT TROEGER ROBERT SOLIS A 122
6 AL KHALI MOTT WILLIAM I DESORMEAUX K J 122
7 TAKE THE POINTS PLETCHER TODD A PRADO E S 122
8 ACCLAMATION WARREN DONALD FLORES D R 122
9 SAL THE BARBER CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE DOMINGUEZ R A 122
10 BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB) MULLINS JEFF GOMEZ G K 122
11 METEORE MANDELLA RICHARD E BEJARANO R 122
12 SIR AL (IRE) MOREY WILLIAM E ROSARIO JOEL 122

Sunday's $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) has drawn a contentious field of 12, and we're going with BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) to return to his winning ways in this 10-furlong test. The Jeff Mullins charge has captured four of his eight races this season, including the Colonial Turf Cup (G2) and Virginia Derby (G2), as well as placed in three other starts. The bay gelding took on older rivals for the first time in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) two back, finishing fourth, but signaled his return to the competitive ranks with a head second last out in the Oak Tree Derby (G2). Garrett Gomez will take over riding duties from a sidelined Tyler Baze, and Battle of Hastings could end the year on a high note.

BLACK BEAR ISLAND (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) returns to the distance over which he posted a head second in the Secretariat S. (G1) in early August. The bay colt was transferred to the barn of Julio Canani following his U.S. bow, and was just a half-length back of the winner in sixth when making his first start for his new trainer against allowance/optional claiming rivals last out. The sophomore probably needed that race off the break, and has been working well in the interim. Black Bear Island looks more than capable of running down the leaders in this one, and will get Joe Talamo aboard.

STRAIGHT STORY (Giant's Causeway) was just a head back of Battle of Hastings in the Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Derby, and made his last start another head second, this time in the Jamaica H. (G1) against TAKE THE POINTS (Even the Score). The Alan Goldberg charge has been knocking on the door of a graded win for quite some time, and could finally get the job done here. The dark bay colt appears the likely speed of this race, and could lead from gate to wire under Mike Smith.

Take the Points captured the Secretariat, then returned off a two-month break to add the Jamaica to his line last out. However, the Todd Pletcher-trained gray has finished behind Battle of Hastings the last two times they met and his numbers tailed off a bit for the Jamaica. Take the Points may be finally feeling the effects of a long season, and though he has the talent to take this one, we're just tabbing him for the exotics. Edgar Prado has the call.

THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) has won his last four races, including posting a slight 10-1 upset in the Oak Tree Derby last out. The James Cassidy charge just held Battle of Hastings by a head on the line, so the extra furlong here is probably not to his benefit. Nonetheless, the bay gelding has proven his ability against top level runners and should be included in the exotics. AL KHALI (Medaglia d'Oro) scored an easy win in the Saranac S. (G3) two back, but tired to fifth after pressing the winner in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) most recently. The bay ridgling has flashed talent in his career, and could make a run on the gimmicks.

METEORE (Pulpit) won the La Jolla H. (G2) in August, then finished fifth in the Oak Tree Derby last out. The Richard Mandella runner earned a career-best 102 BRIS Speed figure for that last effort, but his numbers prior to that one are tolerable, at best. SAL THE BARBER (Alphabet Soup) added a victory in the Calder Derby (G3) to his score card, but also owns subpar numbers. Neither one looks capable of making an impact in the top three, but should be considered for the bottom of the gimmicks if their prices are high enough.

SIR AL (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]) appeared to enjoy the soft going in the Hawthorne Derby (G3) last out, running second, but is very unlikely to do as well in this one based on his numbers. ACCLAMATION (Unusual Heat) might attempt to challenge Straight Story for front-running duties, but doesn't appear fast enough to offer much of a battle. RESCUE SQUAD (Dynaformer) and BLAZING SPIRIT (Cherokee Run) both appear out of their class against these.

1st-BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB)
2nd-BLACK BEAR ISLAND (Ire)
3rd-STRAIGHT STORY

MIESQUE S. (G3), 5TH-HOL, $100,000, 2YO, F, 1MT, 2:32 P.M. PST, 11-29

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 FULL MANDATE (IRE) CASSIDY JAMES SMITH M E 116
2 CAMILLE C POLANCO MARCELO TALAMO JOSEPH 116
3 JULES J MOREY WILLIAM E ALVARADO F T 116
4 THE MAILET LEVINE BRUCE ROSARIO JOEL 118
5 FORBIDDEN PARADISE (IRE) HOFMANS DAVID BEJARANO R 118
6 CONNIE AND MICHAEL MCPEEK KENNETH G DESORMEAUX K J 116
7 IN THE SLIPS MULLINS JEFF GOMEZ G K 118
8 WHISPERING HUSH KRULJAC J ERIC ESPINOZA V 118

Eight juvenile fillies have been entered to go one mile on Hollywood Park's turf in Sunday's $100,000 Miesque S. (G3), and we're tabbing JULES J (Action This Day) to continue her winnings ways in her graded bow. The Bill Morey-trained bay competed on dirt and synthetic earlier in the season, but didn't try grass until October 30, when she blew away five allowance/optional claiming rivals with a 15-length victory at Golden Gate Fields. The two-year-old lass earned a very nice 95 BRIS Speed rating for that effort, and has been working well in advance of this one. Regular rider Frank Alvarado has the call.

IN THE SLIPS (More Than Ready) will be making her U.S. debut in the Miesque, and the Jeff Mullins charge has every chance to take home the top prize. The bay miss took her initial win at Doncaster in September before adding an allowance score at Pontefract to her line, with the latter of those coming at Sunday's distance of a mile. In the Slips has shown promise in her works over Hollywood's green, and will get an added bonus of Garrett Gomez in the saddle. The pair could offer a nice price in the winner's circle.

CONNIE AND MICHAEL (Roman Ruler) took her maiden debut in dominating fashion at Keeneland on October 17, scoring by 7 3/4 lengths, but didn't do so well last out in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), fading to eighth on the line. She'll look to rebound here, and the Kenny McPeek runner has the ability to do just that. The bay filly earned a 101 BRIS E2 Pace figure for her initial start, and will keep Kent Desormeaux aboard.

Even though WHISPERING HUSH (El Corredor) just broke her maiden last out, the chestnut has yet to finish off-the-board from four career tries. Two of those were against stakes rivals on synthetic tracks, and it should be noted that her first win came when she made her turf bow last out going eight furlongs. The Eric Kruljac trainee has a legitimate shot at the win under Victor Espinoza.

It also took switching THE MAILET (Rock Hard Ten) to turf for her to break her maiden, but the dark bay filly doesn't appear quite as talented as our top four. She could make a place for herself in the bottom of the gimmicks, but we don't see her challenging for it all. CAMILLE C (Roman Dancer) captured the Generous Portion S. at Del Mar in early September and has since placed in a pair of listed events. All of her races have come on synthetic tracks, so we'll just watch to see how she handles the surface change.

FULL MANDATE (Ire) (Acclamation) was third in a Group 3 earlier in the summer, but is making her U.S. bow off a two-month break in this spot. We'll give her a race before backing. FORBIDDEN PARADISE (Ire) (Chineur) broke her maiden on grass in August, then was up the track on Pro-Ride last out. She could improve while returning to the turf, but her numbers don't fill us with confidence. We can't recommend.

1st-JULES J
2nd-IN THE SLIPS
3rd-CONNIE AND MICHAEL

Courtesy of Mike Dempsey

Here is today's opening race from Aqueduct to get our day off to a good start:

AQU Race 1 Clm $15,000N2L (12:00 ET)

#4 Mighty Morris 4/1
#3 Mr. Vantastic 5/2
#2 Hue and Cry 6/1
#8 Coney Island 8/1

Analysis: #4 Mighty Morris is making his first start since May and certainly finds a weak spot here facing state bred $15K non-winners of two. The gelding broke his maiden three back in a game effort and then was beaten a combined 50 lengths in two starts against NY bred Alw-1 company. The gelding lands with the Kimmel barn that is 10% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. The gelding popped a bullet work, the best of 79 to go four furlongs on the Belmont training track on Nov. 23.
#3 Mr. Vantastic was off a step slow, saved ground and made a mild late rally to finish third last out in his first go against winners. He broke his maiden two back against open $25K maiden claimers on the turf. The gelding owns the top last out speed fig and encouraging seeing Johnny V. take the call for the low profile barn.



Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 2,3,4,8
TRI: 3,4 / 2,3,4,8 / 2,3,4,7,8

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 8 Power Lunch S. (3:44 ET)

#1 Malibu Moonshine 12/1
#4 Atoned 1/1
#3 Jane's Kid 10/1
#7 Borrowing Base 6/1

Analysis: #1 Malibu Moonshine has not won a race since February but he did run into repeat winners in 3 of his last 6 starts and has shown he can get a marathon distance. He won the Pleasant Colony over the main track here at today's distance back in '07. No doubt he has lost a step or two in the last year, but I'll take a stab he can regain his form with the stretch out if we catch most of his 12/1 ML.

#4 Atoned was not a threat in a fourth place finish on the turf at Keeneland, racing wide much of the trip. The winner of the race was Rahystrada, who came back to win the River City (G3) on Friday at Churchill Downs at 57/1. He won the Nasty n Bold two back going 1 1/2 miles in the slop at Belmont Park. He has finished first or second in nine stakes including winning a Grade 3. The 1 3/4 miles is a long trip to be holding a ticket on a 4/5 shot.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 6/1 or better.
EX: 1,4 / 1,3,4,7
TRI: 1,4 / 1,3,4,7 / 1,3,4,7,8

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Aqueduct

R1: #8 Coney Island 8/1
R2: #2 Inheritor 8/1
R3: #3 My Luckey Penney 8/1
R5: #6 Honest Wildcat 8/1
R6: #1 Mesa Fresca / #1a In This Life 10/1
R7: #9 Great Emperor 15/1
R7: #10 Keeping the Honor 12/1
R8: #1 Malibu Moonshine 12/1
R8: #3 Jane’s Kid 10/1
R9: #7 Casa Di Vino 10/1
R9: #8 Timely Command 8/1

Good luck today!

Holly 9th (4:46)
Hollywood Derby (G1)

1 1/4 Miles (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $300,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Black Bear Island (IRE) Talamo J Canani Julio C 122 Blk-On L 9-2
2 2 The Usual Q. T. Espinoza V Cassidy James 122 L 8-1
3 3 Straight Story Smith M E Goldberg Alan E 122 L 8-1
4 4 Rescue Squad Castro E McGaughey III C R 122 L 20-1
5 5 Blazing Spirit Solis A Troeger Robert 122 L 30-1
6 6 Al Khali Desormeaux K J Mott William I 122 L 8-1
7 7 Take the Points Prado E S Pletcher Todd A 122 L 7-2
8 8 Acclamation Flores D R Warren Donald 122 L 30-1
9 9 Sal the Barber Dominguez R A Clement Christophe 122 L 12-1
10 10 Battle of Hastings (GB) Gomez G K Mullins Jeff 122 L 3-1
11 11 Meteore Bejarano R Mandella Richard 122 L 15-1
12 12 Sir Al (IRE) Rosario J Morey William E 122 L 20-1

$1 Exacta / $2 Quinella / $1 Trifecta $1 Superfecta (10-cent min.) / $2 Double

Battagliaspicks 2-10-3

#2 The Usual Q. T.-since being gelded and switching to the turf he has won 4 in a row including a win last out beating the favorite in this race #10. He is the most improved 3 year old in Southern Cal and will be a good price.

Courtesy of Brian Blessing

AQU 9th (4:12)

1 1/16 Miles (Turf) | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($25,000) | Purse: $23,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Upper Gulch Samyn J L Kelly Patrick J 122 $25,000 L 7-2
1A MTO Lyrical Bobcat Davis J A Kelly Patrick J 119 $25,000 L 7-2
2 2 Eleni's Hope Bocachica O Imperio Joseph 119 $25,000 L 20-1
3 3 Unique Citizen Espinoza J L Ortiz Paulino O 120 $25,000 L 4-1
4 4 Awe So Beautiful Maragh R Hushion Michael E 119 $25,000 L 12-1
5 5 Simple Western Garcia Alan Quick Patrick J 119 $25,000 L 10-1
6 6 Dear Contender Serpa A Toscano John T Jr 115 5 $25,000 50-1
7 7 Casa Di Vino Migliore R Garofalo Gregory 122 $25,000 L 10-1
8 8 Timely Command Hill C Preciado Guadalupe 120 $25,000 L 8-1
9 9 Gold Record Velasquez C Hough Stanley M 119 $25,000 L 5-2
10 10 Stayawaystella Lezcano J Hennig Mark 119 $25,000 L 12-1
11 AE Hier Encore Chavez J F Nieminski Richard 119 $25,000 L 30-1
12 AE Justinline Davis J A Cedano Heriberto 113 7 $25,000 L 50-1
13 AE Crema d'Oro Velazquez J R DiPrima Gregory 119 $25,000 L 12-1
14 MTO Wynot Siyue Studart M Disanto Glenn B 119 $25,000 L 8-1
15 MTO Casa Pippo Bocachica O Saccardo George A 119 $25,000 L 6-1

A-Coupled: Upper Gulch and Lyrical Bobcat

Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10) Wagers

Brian's Pick's 9-1-7

Gold record looks solid in the finale. The three-year-old filly narrowly missed a win last trip to post. Upper Gulch and Casa Da Vino are coming off maiden scores and can contend.