Scarlet To Strike At Hollywood

In the week when it was announced that historic Hollywood Park is set to close it's doors, i feel it's only fitting that i should write about one of their races.

The Senorita Stakes is a Grade 3 event for three year old fillies, run on turf over a mile.

UK readers will perhaps be familiar with some of the names in this contest, as no less than four of the eight-strong field are ex-British runners.

Lilbourne Eliza, Disko Dasko, Need You Now and Charlie Em all showed smart form in Europe, without being anywhere near Graded Stakes-calibre.

Of course, things can change when European imports find themselves in sunnier climes, not least because the addition of Lasix tends to give their form a boost.

A quick glance at the BHA ratings of the ex-UK fillies tells us that they are pretty much well matched on that scale, though Charlie Em has yet to race in America, so may contain just a little more upside. She has to prove that she has acclimatised as well as the three other girls, though.

Lilbourne Eliza failed by just a nose to make a winning start to her American career, but now has to prove that she can cope with this step up in class.

Disko Dasko's best form was shown in France on heavy ground, something she is almost certain to not get here. Similar comments apply to Need You Now, who took a massive step forward on heavy ground at Newbury in October.

Both of these fillies have run creditably so far in California, without setting the World alight.

While European form is always a major consideration on turf in the US, these four fillies have a mountain to climb if they are to match Scarlet Strike.

Jerry Hollendorfer's versatile runner has Grade 1 placings on dirt and AW, and was victorious last time out on turf, in a Grade 3 event at Santa Anita.

While the step down in trip to a mile from a mile and an eighth won't exactly be in favour of this late-running daughter of Smart Strike, Timeform ratings tell us that she has somewhere in the region of five to seven lengths in hand of this field, if she performs anywhere near her best.

She will need some racing luck in a race that could unfold at a tepid pace, but she looks more than capable of taking this, before stepping up in class once again.

Anyone in the UK who wishes to watch and bet on the Hollywood card tonight, can do so at www.racebets.com.

Good luck if getting involved.