Hollywood Park horses to watch: Week of Dec. 21

PRESSURE TIME
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Dec. 12, 5th
Finish: 6th by 8
Beyer: 67
Son of crack sprinter Freespool and kin to two winners had a brutal trip in his grass sprint debut. First, he got away slowly. He was content to bide his time toward the back and never had any room to maneuver. He had to check and steady and never really got to stretch his legs. Next time.

INCLINE VILLAGE
Trainer: Brian Koriner
Last race: Dec. 13, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 84
He’d flashed turf talent here last May 11 when a good third, but hadn’t raced since. He came back just fine, although he broke poorly from his rail slot. He bided his time early, moved up eagerly to press eventual winner Chief Lion going to the far turn, and kept after that foe through the lane. With that race under his belt, it can be diploma time in his next race.

DIVINE WAY
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Dec. 14, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 72
The son of top-class dirt miler Divine Park is getting things figured out. In his second start on turf, he stalked the pace in fourth, came with a threatening run into the lane, and while unable to fend off big closing winner As Rulers Go, he kept to his task nicely to be a clear second. The hillside at Santa Anita beckons.

MR. ORNERY
Trainer: Marty Jones
Last race: Dec. 15, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 79
He came into this six-furlong statebred turf allowance off a string of dull outings, but it was encouraging to see that top rider Rafael Bejarano saw fit to take the call. A slow start didn’t help matters in this turf sprint, but the 4-year-old gelding ran on nicely to be third, indicating that Bejarano was on the right track by opting to ride this guy. Could be he’s ready to turn the corner, and the longer trip down Santa Anita’s hillside may fit him.