Hollywood Park Horse Picks

Hollywood Park resumes racing with a Thursday card that showcases a 6 furlong stakes race on the turf.

The Robert K. Kerlan Memorial Handicap isn’t just the feature on Thursday’s card, it also happens to be the race where Racebook fans will find the pick of the day.

Let’s take a look at Race 7 at Hollywood Park on Thursday.

Hollywood Park – Race 7

Robert K. Kerlan Memorial Handicap

For Three Year Olds and Upward

6 furlongs on the turf

Cherokee Heaven – - 5/1 morning line

What a fantastic race that was first time off the layoff for Cherokee Heaven in his last. The 5 year old horse out of Cherokee Run was ridden first time by Brice Blanc and it showed. Blanc is a master on the turf and he did his work again by being patient with Cherokee Heaven and then taking over with a furious rush late in the race. The same pace set up should happen today as Delta Storm, Backbackgone and Hewitts all figure to vie for the lead in this. If Heaven produces that terrific closing kick like he did in his last, he could win this race.

Get Funky – - 5/2 morning line

The morning line chalk is a former Grade III winner and finished 2nd in a Grade I to the Tin Man in 2007. He is coming off of a disappointing 4th place finish in a minor stakes race but that was his first off of a layoff and now switches to hot jockey Garret Gomez. Get Funky’s class is unquestioned and if he can improve off of his first race back, he has a shot to win as the favorite.

Hewitts – - 6/1 morning line

Hewitts had no chance against Accredit and My Pal Charlie in the slop at Churchill Downs. Now, he returns to a race that he can win. The advantage he has over the other speed is that he gets the outside draw. That means that he can track or go for the lead from the outset. Like Get Funky, he’s got enough class to win should things fall his way.

Wagering Strategy

I believe Cherokee Heaven is close to a stand out in this race. I’m going to bet him to win and place. I will put Cherokee Heaven, Get Funky and Hewitts into an exacta box. I will bypass horse betting the trifecta.