Some West Coast Stuff

- I caught a couple of the Hollywood races on TVG late today, and saw a highly impressive filly in Glorified, for trainer Ron Ellis. You don't see horses win easier than this. She was absolutely gliding along; jockey Jose Valdivia was motionless except to give the filly a couple affectionate pats just before the wire. It was the second win in as many starts for this three-year old daughter of Honour and Glory, and the race from which she graduated on April 28 has turned out to be an excellent one. Two other runners from that race have won, and two others have run close seconds. I'm gonna tab the second and third place finishers Jen's New Chapter and Forest Melody, who haven't yet run back.

Glorified is out of a Beau Genius mare half sister to the Grade 1 winner Diplomat Lady.

Wanted to mention another recent winner at Hollywood, one that Walter had scoped out before his North American debut on Thursday. Crossing the Line had some well-reviewed workouts, and the word was definitely out on this one; 6-1 morning line for John Sadler, he went to the post as the 2-1 favorite. This five-year old son of Cape Cross, who had made only three prior lifetime starts, all in New Zealand, was dead last in the six furlong race as they entered the turn. He took off suddenly, circled the field wide, and flew past the leaders, even while checking out the California crowd along the way. It was a quick early pace, but they never really slowed down, and the final time was 1:07.98, with the final eighth in 11.45.

And an exciting finish in the Californian on Saturday, as Buzzard's Bay, also trained by Ron Ellis and ridden by Valdivia, was the recipient of the most perfect of trips. He was third on the inside behind dueling speed, took over the lead midstretch, but just held off 25-1 Sun Boat, stepping up from $40K claiming company, after it looked like he was going to get caught for sure.

“He might be the smartest horse I've ever trained, and he knows what he has to do and gets it done,” Ellis said. “He might have gotten a little tired. [SignOnSanDiego]

The final eighth was run in 13.34 seconds. The Hollywood Gold Cup could be next for Buzzards Bay. Kip Deville faded to 8th, and Perfect Drift was last.

- Thoroughbred Daily News reported the other day that Discreet Cat is back at Belmont and about two weeks away from getting back on the track.