Sunday's 9th race (4:37pm PT) from Betfair Hollywood Park is the Grade I Hollywood Derby for 3-year-olds traveling a mile and a quarter on the turf course.
#11 Speaking of Which (9-2) made a premature move into above par splits and was tagged late by today's rival Grandeur in a 9f Graded affair at Santa Anita Nov 2. He romped at this distance in Ireland earlier this year and appears poised to spring forward in his second US start.
#8 Rjwa (8-1) is a fresh filly invading from France. She handles this trip and seems to do her best work with time between starts.
#1 Big Bane Theory (15-1) is lightly raced and on the improve for Gaines. He owns plenty of upside and projects a cozy ground saving trip in midpack and should have every chance to succeed at square odds.
#4 Grandeur (7-2) finished with gusto to beat my top in the G2 Twilight Derby. He has struck twice at ten furlongs but has been in steady training since April and may have peaked last out.
I have always lilked #13 Summer Front (5-1) and he is relatively fresh with only one start since August. The gem of consistency needs to work out a trip from a tough post and top notch rider Dominguez knows him well.
#3 Unbridled Command (6-1) is a talented NY-bred in search of five straight wins. He might prefer a bit of give in the ground.
The Plays:
$20 to win #11
$6 Quinella 8-11
$1 Trifecta 8-11/1-4-8-11/1-3-4-8-11-13 ($24)
analysis by Jarrod Horak
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