Small details may help Hennessy

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - If the outcome of the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue is decided by level of preparation, Roll Hennessy Roll holds the advantage.

Seven juveniles entered the seven-furlong race Saturday at Hollywood Park, none more focused than Roll Hennessy Roll. In bringing the colt up to his first graded stakes, trainer Rafael Becerra has left little

to chance - familiarizing Roll Hennessy Roll with the Hollywood track, and employing a key equipment change by adding blinkers.

While main Prevue contenders Rahy Vision and Sailnwithcaptain have remained at their Santa Anita base, Roll Hennessy Roll shipped to Hollywood 10 days ago. The reason, said Becerra, is "to get used to the surface. That way, you have no excuses."

In addition, Roll Hennessy Roll has worn blinkers his last three works, and will wear them Saturday for the first time in a race. Becerra expects his horse to be closer to the lead. Intentions are clear - Becerra is pulling out all stops. "He's doing good, and the distance is going to help him," Becerra said.

Roll Hennessy Roll, by Hennessy, won his first three starts in New Mexico, and finished a credible third in the six-furlong Sunny Slope on Oct. 19 at Santa Anita. Owned by Sunland Park operator Stan Fulton, Roll Hennessy Roll is being considered for the Grade 1 Hollywood Futurity on Dec. 21 if he runs well Saturday.

Rahy Vision rallied from 13 lengths behind to win his second start in a six-furlong maiden race Oct. 13 at Santa Anita, and should appreciate the longer distance of the Prevue. Rahy Vision is stabled at Santa Anita, however, which worries trainer Ron Ellis a bit. "I've found that some horses who train [at Santa Anita] don't adapt [to Hollywood]. They get to spinning their wheels."

Ellis and owner B. Wayne Hughes are expected to take a conservative approach following the Prevue. While the 1 1/16-mile Futurity is not out of the question if Rahy Vision runs well Saturday, Ellis prefers to stretch the colt out against lesser competition than Breeders' Juvenile runner-up Kafwain.

Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Futurity in three of the last five years, and his Kafwain is the early favorite for that race. Baffert did not nominate Kafwain for the Prevue, but he nominated eight others. He entered Sailnwithcaptain, who is 2 for 2. Taliano, Jimmy O, Hell Cat, and Red Apache are also entered.