Photo: Hollywood Park
Heavily favored American Lady dominated five opponents in
the $61,032 allowance feature Thursday at Hollywood Park.
Ridden with extreme confidence by jockey Martin Garcia, the
3-year-old daughter of Stormy Atlantic
and the Rubiano mare Comfort Zone prevailed by 2 ¼ lengths without ever being
asked for her best.
Owned by Kaleem Shah and trained by Bob Baffert, American
Lady, who broke from the outside in the field of six, was allowed to sit
slightly off the pace early on, cruised up to the leaders while four wide
approaching the stretch, then took command with a little less than an eighth of
a mile remaining.
Completing the 6 ½ furlongs over Cushion Track in 1:16.07,
American Lady, who was purchased for $230,000 as the Keeneland September sale
in 2009, paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 3-10 favorite.
The second win in three starts for the gray increased her
earnings to $77,120.
Zenidekka, the 6-1 second choice, gained second by a half-length
over Evita’s Sister, who rallied from last. A California bred who had won her previous
start June 11, Zenidekka returned $3.60 and $3. The show price on Evita’s
Sister was $3.60. Moonstruck Maya, Hopeful Union and Freewayracer completed the
order of finish.
The win by American Lady was Baffert’s 28th of
the Spring/Summer meet. With 12 days left, the Hall of Famer holds a 28-25 lead
over Mike Mitchell in the trainer standings. Baffert has never won a
Spring/Summer title.
Winning tickets in the Pick 6 were each worth $30,765.60. An
additional $999,783 was wagered Thursday in pursuit of a $111,940 carryover.