HORSE RACING

The Gravesend Handicap

Aqueduct, Race 8 - Post 3:48

$75,000, 3 y.o. & up, 6 fur.

1. Isn't He Perfect . . . Rajiv Maragh. . . 6-1

2. Royal Currier . . . Stewart Elliott. . . 4-1

3. Hillswick . . . Irad Ortiz. . . 7-2

4. Saginaw . . . Junior Alvarado. . . 4-5

5. Broad Rule . . . Forest Boyce. . . 20-1

6. Frazil . . . Cornelio Velasquez. . . 15-1

Hillswick was claimed for $50,000 at Saratoga and just ran like a wild horse in a win at Laurel Park. If he can duplicate that form from a month ago, he will be very difficult to beat in an open race. Saginaw has won 9 of 12 this year, but almost exclusively against New York breds. He could certainly win again, but this will be a bit tougher. Isn't He Perfect has been running longer so the distance is an issue.

* D.J.'s picks

1. Hillswick

2. Saginaw

3. Isn't He Perfect

The Hollywood Turf Cup

Hollywood Park, Race 7 - Post 6:35

$250,000 (Grade II), 3 y.o. & up, 1 1/2 mi. (turf)

1. Interaction . . . Joe Talamo. . . 12-1

2. Optimizer . . . Corey Nakatani. . . 6-1

3. Slim Shadey . . . Victor Espinoza. . . 7-2

4. Grandeur . . . Garrett Gomez. . . 5-2

5. Fire With Fire . . . Martin Garcia. . . 20-1

6. Grassy . . . Rafael Bejarano. . . 8-1

7. Bourbon Bay . . . Mike Smith. . . 7-2

8. Tiz Gianni . . . David Flores. . . 20-1

9. Private Affair . . . Brice Blanc. . . 20-1

10. Kindergarden Kid . . . Javier Castellano. . . 8-1

Slim Shadey looks like the only speed in a field of plodders and he may be the best horse anyway. Kindergarden Kid is quite adept at this marathon distance, but has only won once all year. Irish-bred Grandeur has run two terrific races in America after showing solid form in Great Britain.

* D.J.'s picks

1. Slim Shady

2. Kindergarten Kid

3. Grandeur

The Cash Call Futurity

Hollywood Park, Race 9 - Post 7:35

$750,000 (Grade I), 2 y.o., 1 1/16 mi.

1. He's Had Enough . . . Mario Guttierez. . . 9-2

2. Den's Legacy . . . Garrett Gomez. . . 6-1

3. Dirty Swagg . . . Tyler Baze. . . 30-1

4. Carving . . . Martin Garcia. . . 8-1

5. Fury Kapcori . . . Joe Talamo. . . 8-1

6. Violence . . . Javier Castellano. . . 7-2

7. Simon Eyes . . . Victor Espinoza. . . 12-1

8. Really Mr Greely . . . Mike Smith. . . 5-1

9. Title Contender . . . Rafael Bejarano. . . 10-1

10. Little Jerry . . . Aaron Gryder. . . 12-1

11. Oxbow . . . Corey Nakatani. . . 15-1

Really Mr Greely put up a huge Beyer number (98) when winning the Hollywood Prevue. The distance is the issue here, but this horse clearly is fast enough. His trainer, Bob Baffert, has four of the 11 horses in the race. He's Had Enough was a terrific second in the slowly-run Breeders' Cup Juvenile. His trainer, Doug O'Neil, said this colt is farther along than Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another at the same stage. Violence is beautifully bred and has looked really good winning both starts.

* D.J.'s picks

1. Really Mr Greely

2. He's Had Enough

3. Violence

- Dick Jerardi