In a thrilling stretch drive,
Amazombie scored by a head over Captain Cherokee in the 29th running of the Grade 2 Potrero Grande stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Sunday's feature set up for a patient type after M One Rifle, Atta Boy Roy, Bet On Victor, and Ventana skirmished through fractions of :21.41 and :43.45.
Amazombie and Captain Cherokee sat behind the leaders and moved in tandem turning for home. The former, a California-bred gelding ridden by Mike Smith and trained by Bill Spawr, prevailed late to land the $90,000 first place prize.
Ventana held 3rd over M One Rifle and Don Tito, Chocolate Candy, disappointing favorite Crown of Thorns, Bet On Victor, Colgan's Chip, and Atta Boy Roy followed.
The winner ran six and one-half furlongs in 1:14.26 and paid $9.20.
Earlier on the card, Bob Baffert's promising 3-year-old colt
Uncle Sam went wire-to-wire in a flat mile optional claiming route. He held off overseas transplant Clarke Lane by a neck and paid $10.40.
Overwhelming favorite Wilburn, an impressive debut sprint winner, was slow into stride and never got seriously involved in a very disappointing 5th place finish.