Woodbine: Hollywood Hit impressive in Bold Venture

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Hollywood Hit sizzled 6 1/2 furlongs in near track-record time Wednesday night at Woodbine to win the 56th running of the

$151,900 Bold Venture Stakes

.

Hollywood Hit broke alertly from the outside under Jim McAleney, but ended up stalking Essence Hit Man, who set rapid splits of 21.83 and 43.82. Hollywood Hit assumed command at the head of the stretch, and then dug in late to hold off a determined Signature Red. Riding the River nailed a fading Essence Hit Man on the wire while finishing a non-threatening third in the excellent eight-horse field.

The final time of 1:14.76 was just .22 of a second off the Polytrack record set in 2008 by Fatal Bullet, who rallied belatedly for fifth after trailing on the backstretch.

Hollywood Hit paid $5.30.

“This horse was very sharp today,” said McAleney. “I was really hoping to get him settled, and it was more of a job, but he did. The more that you can get him to settle, the more you have to finish with.”

Hollywood Hit, Canada’s reigning champion sprinter, earned $90,000 for owner Peter Redekop and trainer Terry Jordan.