Hollywood Derby 2014 at Del Mar

Las Vegas, NV - Del Mar in the great state of California will play host to the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Saturday, November 29. Three year olds will take to Del Mar's turf track and go 1 1/8 miles for the winner's portion of the $300,000 purse.

A small field of just six will take part in the Hollywood Derby - race 8 on Del Mar's Saturday card. Post time is 4:00 PM. Here is a brief look into the past performances of all six entries for this Grade 1 stakes - a race headlined by the great California Chrome.

2014 Hollywood Derby Race Favorite Entries

California Chrome - Art Sherman pupil had a terrific six race win streak earlier this year and looked absolutely untouchable - the Preakness Stakes, a four length win in the Kentucky Derby, the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths and two minor stakes scores. But stumbled his next two starts - a sixth in the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby September 20 followed a fourth in the Belmont Stakes - a race that could have made him the first Triple Crown winner in decades. Last time out he got back in the Horse of the Year conversation with a third in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He now has 15 career starts with eight wins, a second and a third place finish and will be looking to regain the form that saw him become the most dominant horse on the planet earlier this year. All eyes will be on jockey Victor Espinoza has he and California Chrome leave from post 5 in his first start on grass.

Lexie Lou - five time stakes winner enters off one of those wins - in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes at Santa Anita October 25 after a very disappointing tenth as 3-2 choice in the Grade 2 Canadian Derby (her graded stakes debut) and a terrific three race win streak - the minor Wonder Where Stakes August 10, the prestigious Queen's Plate July 6 against the boys and a terrific 4 1/2 length win in the Woodbine Oaks June 15 for trainer Mark Casse. She now has seven wins, two seconds and two third place finishes in 15 career starts and like she is back on track. Lexie Lou relishes her starts against the boys, has won two of her three starts on grass and leaves from gate 2 with Corey Nakatani in the saddle.

Hollywood Derby 2014 | Remaining Contenders

Sawyer's Hill - has nine career starts for trainer Kristin Mulhall - three wins, two seconds and two third place finishes. He enters off consecutive seconds - a neck behind Long On Value in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby last time out October 31 and in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby here August 31 after consecutive wins - both Allowance races on this track. He has three wins and two second place finishes in his last six starts overall and is certainly a threat in this one. Rafael Bejarano will get the call Saturday from post 4 as Sawyer's Hill looks for his first graded stakes score.

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Talco - French bred John Sadler trained colt made his North American debut August 31 and finished a decent third in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby here and followed that with a fifth in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby last time out at Santa Anita October 31. Before shipping he placed in five of six starts at home - two wins, two seconds and a third place finish - a second in his stakes debut at Deauville July 2 after two wins in three races. Talco will have Drayden Van Dyke in the irons from the rail as he looks for his first North American score.

Flamboyant - French bred Flamboyant placed in his first nine career starts - three wins, three seconds and three third place finishes. A good third behind the terrific Mr Speaker in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational July 5 followed a second in the minor Pennine Ridge Stakes in May and a win in the listed La Puente Stakes at Santa Anita April 19. Flamboyant has stumbled in his last two starts however - a fourth - a neck behind Sawyer's Hill last time out in the Grade 3 Twilight Derby followed an eighth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby here August 31. He will be looking to snap a mini-slump and will wear blinkers for the first time this weekend when he leaves from post 3 with Mike Smith aboard.

Cabral - has placed in seven of nine career starts - two wins, two seconds and three third place finishes. He enters off a third place finish in the minor Let it Ride Stakes on this track November 8 after a ninth in his only graded stakes action - the Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont Park October 4 and two wins, two seconds and two third place finishes in seven starts in France. He looks for his first North American score Saturday from the outside post with Kent Desormeaux in the irons.