Horse of the day for 6/21
Hollywood Park - Race 8 PEACEFUL FLIGHT took the worst of it at the post position draw, but has been racing in good form on both dirt and turf, and should get a solid pace to attack in this spot. Turf form often reproduces itself on synthetic surfaces, and Peaceful Fight has improved greatly since his lone cushion track flop last year (sprinting from post 13). This isn't the strongest field in the world, and Peaceful Flight should challenge from midpack if not forced too wide into the first turn. Selections: YTD record based on starts, wins, top pick in the money, and profit/loss of that day's selection: 47-9-18 (+$58.40)
1 1/16 Miles (Cushion Track)
Maiden Claiming ($25,000-$22,500)
3-year-olds and upward
Both of ZIELONKO's top three finishes came over cushion track, and his most recent effort resulted in a career-best Beyer Speed Figure. He's another that should appreciate the expected quick pace up front, and is eligible to improve off the short freshening. ROCKY JOE boasts improving Beyer Speed Figures, and should save valuable ground going into the first turn. He may show better early zip in his initial route outing, and may find a great pace-tracking, ground-saving trip behind likely pacesetters CALCULATION and ORO DE OLE'. Rocky Joe seems to have found his proper class level here, and will be running late under new pilot Aaron Gryder. THUNDERING RHYTHM also has shown a Beyer spike in recent starts, and was compromised by difficult trips in his last two races. On May 23, he made a premature midmove before understandably tiring in the stretch. Last time out, he broke poorly before being forced wide throughout. The 4-year-old is rounding into his best form, and shouldn't be ignored in exotic wagers.
UNBRIDLED HARMONY is a tough morning line favorite (7-2) to back as he's already had 20 times to graduate to no avail, and is a late-runner that is often at the mercy of racing luck. His numbers are solid, and he goes second off the layoff, but may prove an underlay. OLE DE OLE ran evenly in his first start off a long layoff, and has reason to improve off that race while stretching back out in distance. He should be a pace factor, but is a 6-year-old maiden that hasn't shown much stretch stamina. LOGO was compromised by a poor start in his career debut. The half-brother to Grade 3-placed Rhiana should appreciate dropping in class and stretching out in distance.
1. Peaceful Flight
2. Zielonko
3. Rocky Joe