11/26/2020

  4   CD    Cardinal Handicap (GIII)    
       $100.000      3yo&Up F&M          1 1/8m  Turf          Hcp Weights

The tote board was lit, the Green Card nailed the exacta, the favorites were off of the board and Mis Hijos Stable got it’s first graded stakes score… so are the stories for the 2020 Cardinal Hcp (GIII) at CD as Hollywood Chef remains unbeaten since being tagged for a mere $4.000 back in June.  That’s four wins in a row for the new owner and I’m sure she will be a memorable claim.  Emmy was a length back in second with stable mate Laffer another length back in third, while Charming Beauty took the minor money.  The final running time was 1:45³ for the mile and an eighth turf stakes. 

The gate was placed at the top of the lane for this two-turn mile and an eighth turf stakes, and away in good order with Graceful American on the early lead with Smart Watch and Charming Beauty pressing the early pace, Pennies from the rail, Hollywood Chef, Emmy and Laffer was the early trailer.

Now moving into the clubhouse turn and six furlongs to run, Smart Watch was in front by three-quarters of a length, Graceful American from between horses, Pennies on the rail and Charming Beauty in the four path.  Another length to Hollywood Chef, back down to the rail for Emmy and Laffer continued to trail, four lengths covered the field.

Around the clubhouse turn and making their way down the backside, they now had three and a half furlongs to run and there wasn’t a lot of change.  Smart Watch on the lead by a half length, Graceful American not going away to her inside, Pennies along the rail, then a length back to Charming Beauty caught four wide, Hollywood Chef on her inside, another length back to Emmy and Laffer continued to trail, now five lengths from the leader.

They made their way around the far turn and to the top of the lane with a bit more than a furlong to run and it was anyone’s race as they bunched up for the run to the wire, Smart Watch in front by a neck, Graceful American to her inside, Hollywood Chef up to join the leaders, Charming Beauty five wide, back to the rail for Pennies, Emmy starting to move forward as was Laffer from the far outside.

Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, the pace was falling apart and the closers were flying home, Hollywood Chef moving best of all and now in front by a length, a trio on her inside, a duo on her outside and Pennies looked to be done, but as they hit the wire, this was all about Hollywood Chef as she sliced and diced her way to a one length win.  Emmy continued on well to take the second spot, as Laffer closed down the far outside to grab third.  Charming Beauty went with that one and took fourth, then a neck back to Smart Watch in fifth, another neck to Graceful American in sixth and Pennies closed this one out.

Hollywood Chef is a 3yo bay filly by Hollywood Kruz – Personal Chef, by Holly Summer, and she was bred in ON by Estero Farms.  As mentioned, she was claimed four races back by Mis Hijos Stable for $4.000, and this was her fourth win from nine starts, all of those for this barn.  She now has earnings of $97.670.  Congrats to both horse and stable!

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm           Time: :47   1:10¹  1:34   1:45³
$1 Exacta: 5 – 2 Paid 183.00          $1 Trifecta: 5 – 2 – 6 Paid 311.00
Scratched: None

Hollywood Chef rated mid-pack, responded when asked into the lane, took over near the furlong marker, won driving.  Emmy rated back well off of the pace, steady gain in the 3p, could not match strides late while clearly second best.  Laffer trailed throughout, fanned out for the drive, best foot too late.  Charming Beauty gave an even effort.  Smart Watch broke alertly, set the pace into the far turn, tied.  Graceful American broke sharp then tracked the pace into the far turn, tired.  Pennies saved ground to no avail. 

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES