Hollywood Prevue Stakes Roundup

High Level Jeff ships in from Calder Casino & Race Course and makes his first start for trainer Doug O’Neill today as the 2-1 morning line favorite of the $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) at Hollywood Park.

Undefeated in two starts, High Level Jeff heads a field of six 2-year-olds and has already shown an affinity for the track with a sharp 6-furlong work out on November 15.

High Level Jeff is a descendant of the Bold Ruler sire line and since 1990 there have been three horses that have won the Prevue Stakes: Jack O’Lantern (2008), Declan’s Moon (2004) and Corba King (1995).

Speedy Premier Pegasus (5-2) is also undefeated in two starts and most likely will go to the lead making High Level Jeff and the other horses work to earn the victory.

Premier Pegasus, the only stakes winner in the race, comes into today’s race off of a 1 ¾ - length victory in the Jack Goodman Stakes at Oaktree at Hollywood on October 23. The time for the 6-furlong sprint was 1:09.62 and he should be able to easily handle the stretch out to 7-furlongs.

Premier Pegasus has a nice pedigree with Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Fusaichi Pegaus as his sire and Preakness (G1) winner Summer Squall as the damsire.

Premier Pegasus is a descendant of the Mr. Prospector sire line and since 1990 there have been two horses from that line to win the Prevue: Belgravia (2006) and Stuka (1992).

Another Bold Ruler descendant and a long shot I like is Northern Indy (12-1) who, in his second start, broke his maiden in an 8-furlong route race by an impressive five lengths at Golden Gate Fields October 28 – his first race on the turf was off the board. The time for the mile was a mediocre 1:39 but jockey Russell Baze had a snug hold on Northern Indy who took the lead at the half and was not pressured the rest of the way to the finish.

Jockey Mike Smith picks up the mount on Northern Indy and at 12-1 odds or better, I’m will to give him a chance.

Industry Leader (5-2) is another horse to keep an eye on and if he looks good in the post parade, you may want to use him in some wagers.

Industry leader comes into to the race off a 2 ¼ - length maiden win but, with Cherokee Run as his sire and Seeking The Gold as the damsire, he has the breeding to easily get the distance. With the success in recent years of The Pamplemousse and Musket Man, I especially like to keep an eye on Cherokee Run descendents when they stretch out to longer distances.

Industry Leader is a descendant of the Nasrullah sire line and since 1990 there have been five horses from that line to win the Prevue: Massive Drama (2007), Proud Tower (2000), Grey Memo (1999), In Excessive Bull (1996) and Olympio.