Hollywood Don will stay on grass after Juvenile Turf win

DEL MAR, Calif. – Hollywood Don has found a home on turf for the foreseeable future after winning his stakes debut Saturday in the $101,500 Del Mar Juvenile Turf.

The temptation to try a stakes on the main track and eventually take part in the buildup to the 2016 Triple Crown is in trainer Peter Miller’s mind – for later.

“He’s trained well on dirt,” Miller said. “It’s something we’ll consider going forward, but in the immediate future, we’ll keep him on the grass.”

Hollywood Don is likely to make his next start in the $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf Oct. 10 at Santa Anita, a race that could lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 30.

Owned by Rockingham Ranch, Hollywood Don was seventh in a maiden race at a mile on turf July 26 and won a maiden race at a mile on turf Aug. 12 by a hard-fought neck. The Juvenile Turf Stakes was an easier win, with Hollywood Don finishing 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Hot Ore, a maiden race winner on turf at Santa Anita in June.

Hollywood Don is by Tapit and was bought for $245,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in training in April.