Seagrams VO and water combines the great Canadian whiskey with the lifeblood of our species but the VO that will be shaken up this weekend at Hollywood Park is the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes at 6 furlongs with some of the best Western sprinters still standing.

At this time of the year the cream of the speed crop is usually dusting off the trophies but this race has been won over the years by some hard knockers like Men's Exclusive, Bordonero, Pancho Villa and Shanekite.

Last year Johnny Eves came out of a second in the Cal Cup Sprint to come from third and 5 back to win going away with a 101 Beyer in 1:07.90.

Let's look at the possible players in this year's edition.

Candy Pull brings speed and he likes Inglewood but when horses give up the ghost at Fresno, it's hard to jump on that bandwagon.

Delta Storm has won about a third of his 32 starts and continues to fire even at the advanced age of 8. He was far from disgraced in the BC Turf Sprint last out but just was left with too much to do in the final furlong. He will need plenty of help up front to score.

Kinsale King will be getting the acid test if he shows up since he has only won twice. He has trained fast locally of late and backers figure to get at least a brief thrill.

Live Sundays just wins races. It took him awhile to figure it out and get his sea legs under him but he has speed, can sit just off the pace and still perform and he will be shooting for his 5th straight win in the Underwood. He is entered earlier in the week.

The dreaded 'Dubai bounce' could be in effect with Machismo. The last time in the states he was the beaten chalk in Phoenix in the Gold Cup before a very dull try in the Middle East. Sure, he's been given time since that March finale and he has drilled okay locally but hard to hang your hat on a returnee that has some red flags surrounding him.

Any horse that can win 10 of 18 can run some but Mr. Cacht has been plying his trade in Argentina and will have to prove it here. He has capable Jeff Mullins as the mentor, has speed and must be given an upset look.

Noble Court was inching toward the BC Turf Sprint winner last time but he was off slow and lost all chance right off the bat. He was flying at Johnny Eves in this race last year when third and has the proven class to be a lawn mower this time too.

Partywithlarryz has been sidelined, is far from a win machine and seems up against it.

Paul's Hope also has a lot to prove with his glaring 0 for 9 Hollywood record on view for all to see. Away since Pomona, he's been close in Graded company before but has not won a Graded stakes.

The final nominee is Talkin to Mom Roo, who fits nicely in this race if he can revert to his summer form that saw him run second to Zensational in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby.

So, how might it unfold? It's easy to see Kinsale King and Mr. Cacht vying for the lead from the sound of the bell posting legit splits. If they go fast enough, it will leave the barn door wide open for Delta Storm , Noble Court, and possible perfect tripper Talkin to Mom Roo to rally in the finale furlong.

Forecast: when the smoke clears, Delta Storm will reign.