Hills Ships Pair to Hollywood Park

Slumber and Island Paradise, a pair of English candidates trained by Charles Hills for the Turf Festival next week, were two of five European arrivals Wednesday.

Foreman Geoff Snook and exercise rider Heather Johnson enjoyed the scenery at Hollywood Park Thursday as they awaited the Hills duo to clear quarantine Friday.

Juddmonte Farm’s Slumber is scheduled to run in the Hollywood Derby November 27, while Island Paradise will vie in the $100,000 Miesque Stakes for 2-year-old fillies  November 25.

“I started out with Barry Hills, Charles’s father, in 1970,” said  Snook. “Charles took over for his father in August. He said the two horses left Lambourn, about 60 miles from London, and were driven over the channel to Amsterdam before the 10-hour flight to LAX.

Snook said he expected Slumber, an English-bred son of Cacique, to be forwardly placed. “In his last race, he made the lead,” said Snook of a victory in the James Seymour Stakes at Newmarket at 1 ¼ miles October 29. “They tried him once this year at 1 ½ miles, and he didn’t quite stay.”  

Island Paradise will make her first start for Hills. She was purchased by Canadian owner Richard Bonnycastle after her last race.