Hollendorfer's juveniles excel

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is building a strong team of early-season juvenile winners.

In recent weeks, Hollendorfer has won maiden special weight races with the fillies Seduire, a winner May 22, and Heart of Paradise, a winner June 5. On Friday, Hollendorfer was back in the winner’s circle with the California-bred Atta’ Boy Woody.

Owned by breeders Larry and Marianne Williams, Atta’ Boy Woody led throughout the five-furlong race, pulling away from six rivals in early stretch to win by 7 3/4 lengths in 58.84 seconds. By Atticus, Atta’ Boy Woody made his debut Friday.
“You didn’t expect him to win like that,” Hollendorfer said. “He took a challenge, and he did his job.”

Atta’ Boy Woody is likely to make his stakes debut in the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for California-breds over 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on July 30. California Chrome won the 2013 Graduation Stakes.

Hollendorfer has nominated Heart of Paradise and Seduire for the $125,000 Landaluce Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on June 22. He said one of the fillies could run there, with the other directed to the $100,000 Cinderella Stakes over six furlongs for 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos on July 13.

The Landaluce and Cinderella were previously run at Hollywood Park, which closed in December.

Hollendorfer has 32 2-year-olds in his Southern California stable. Most of the division is based at Barretts Sales and Racing at the Los Angeles County Fair under the direction of assistant Lauren Robson.