Betfair Hollywood Park
Race flow favors In Summation
Diane Booth/Horsephotos In Summation brings a 2-for-2 record on synthetic surfaces into the Vernon Underwood.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Streaks have become common in the 18-race career of In Summation.
He won his first five starts as a 2-year-old in 2005, was second in three consecutive stakes in 2006, and has won his three most recent starts. The streak can go to four in Sunday's $100,000 Vernon Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park.
In Summation makes his first start since finishing in a dead heat for the win in the Arlington Sprint Handicap in August. The subsequent layoff was caused by an illness, and kept In Summation out of the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Monmouth Park in late October.
"I ran out of time to make it to the Breeders' Cup," trainer Christophe Clement said.
In recent weeks, In Summation has worked well at Hollywood Park on the Cushion Track synthetic main surface, notably a half-mile in 46 seconds on Nov. 10.
In Summation is undefeated in two starts on a synthetic surface, the Arlington Sprint Handicap and a nose win over Greg's Gold in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar in late July. Both races were over Polytrack.
Greg's Gold is one of five rivals for In Summation in the Underwood.
Clement credits In Summation's success this year to maturity.
"Horses improve from 3 to 4," he said. "He's a very good horse, very versatile."
In Summation is a stalker and will have a pace to follow from Bushwacker, Double Action, and Quinton's Fleet.
Bushwacker ended a six-race losing streak with a front-running win in an optional claimer here on Nov. 10. Double Action won the Pirate's Bounty Handicap at Del Mar in September, but has lost his last two starts. Quinton's Fleet is making his Hollywood Park debut, having won 3 of 6 starts, including two stakes, at Turf Paradise in the last 18 months.
Greg's Gold, eighth in the BC Sprint, drew the rail, which discouraged trainer David Hofmans.
"I don't like the post position," Hofmans said. "He may be forced to get involved early."
Hofmans is hoping that Greg's Gold can avoid a speed duel, and stalk the expected front-runners. "Maybe if they can kick clear, we can get around them," he said.
Hofmans also starts Council Member, a 5-year-old by Seattle Slew. A stakes winner in England in 2005, Council Member will be coming from off the pace in his first California start.
"He'll come from way off of it," Hofmans said. "I don't think he's seen this kind of speed."