Doinghardtimeagain Takes Soviet Problem
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Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Martin
Garcia teamed for their second stakes win in as many days when
Doinghardtimeagain won the $196,000 Soviet Problem Sunday at Betfair Hollywood
Park.
A little more than 24 hours after the combination took the
Grade II, $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes with Lady of Fifty, Garcia and Hollendorfer
struck again for another come-from-behind victory.
Well positioned early behind a quick pace in the inaugural
running of the Soviet Problem, a Golden State series race for 2-year-old
California bred or sired fillies, Doinghardtimeagain moved up four wide to
engage the leaders approaching the stretch before asserting her superiority in
the final sixteenth.
Prompt as the 3-5 favorite against state bred maidens in her
Cushion Track debut Nov. 9, the daughter of Ministers Wild Cat and the
Conquistador Cielo mare Silver Hawk Lady covered the seven furlongs Sunday in
1:23.93. The margin of victory was 2 ¼ lengths.
No worse than second in four starts for owner-breeder Tommy
Town Thoroughbreds LLC, Doinghardtimeagain has earned $198,500. The 6-1 third
choice in a field of eight – reduced by the scratch of Tribal Custom - the dark
bay paid $15.80, $6.20 and $5.
“The race came up exactly how I thought it would,’’ said
Garcia. “There were a few speed horses and I wanted to lay on the outside where
she could be really comfortable.
“I just let her pick it up on her own. The only thing I
didn’t want to do was move too soon. When I asked her, she just left
everybody.’’
Hollendorfer indicated Doinghardtimeagain will stretch to
one mile in the filly division of the $300,000 California Breeders’ Champion
Stakes Jan. 26 at Santa Anita.
Unusual Way, who had won consecutive stakes, including the
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Sprint Preview Nov. 3 at Santa Anita, for trainer
Jeff Bonde, disposed of 7-10 favorite Home Journey, who wound up last, and
Tilde, but was no match for the winner late.
The daughter of Unusual Heat returned $4 and $3 while
finishing 4 ¼ lengths in front of Awe Golly Molly, the longest shot in the race
at 69-1. The show price on Awe Golly Molly, who edged Tilde by a head, was
$12.60.
Perfect in two prior starts, Home Journey made the lead
through a rapid 21.98 opening quarter, remained one length clear through a
45.57 half, but faded quickly after being headed at the top of the stretch. She
was virtually eased by jockey Aaron Gryder in the final eighth of a mile.
“She seems to be OK,’’ said Gryder. “I don’t know what it
was – maybe they’ll see something at the barn (of trainer Mike Puype). It’s
just not like her. She’s been training unbelievable. She cleared and was
relaxed.
“She’s the kind of filly that when you get near her she
wants to put her head in front, but there was no resistance today.’’
The final week of the Autumn meet begins Thursday. Post time is 12:30 p.m.
Track gates at Betfair
Hollywood Park
will open at 10 a.m. for simulcasts.
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