TORONTO, April 11 – Peter Redekop’s Hollywood Hit prevailed in Sunday’s $150,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes at Woodbine.
The four-year-old son of Cactus Ridge finished a diminishing half-length in front of Canada’s 2009 sprint champion Field Commission. El Brujo was third.
The Jacques Cartier is the first official stakes score for Hollywood Hit, who zipped six furlongs in 1:08.99.
Trained by Daniel O’Callaghan, the Oklahoma-bred gelding broke a half-step slow but quickly recovered and was sent straight to the front by regular pilot Jim McAleney.
“He had those ‘first-race back butterflies.’ He was sharp on post parade. That’s just the real competitor coming out in him. That carried over to the gate. When the gates opened up, he was trying to break too hard. He kind of missed his first step,” explained McAleney.
Hollywood Hit raced eagerly in the early going, establishing quick fractions of :22.01 and :44.40. The effects of his early efforts were apparent in deep stretch as his rivals transformed a Hollywood romp into a Hollywood drama.
“He’s got natural speed. It was a little more natural today,” said McAleney, adding that his mount was more settled last year because he had already raced a few times. “I think with this race under his belt, he’ll be a lot better next time and be able to settle down.”
Hollywood Hit is now a five-time winner from 10 starts with earnings of $232,964. McAleney ranks the gelding at the top of his all-time list.
“He’s the fastest horse I’ve ever ridden,” affirmed McAleney. “I just love this horse. He’s brilliant.”
Hollywood Hit returned $3.10, $2.20 and $2.10, combining with Field Commission ($2.80 and $2.10) for a $7.80 exactor. El Brujo ($2.30) rounded out a triactor worth $13.70.
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