Making his second start after a layoff, Golden Itiz ran past
Red Door Drive in the closing yards to win the $70,000 allowance feature Sunday
at Hollywood Park.
Upsets were the rule later in the card, so there will be
Pick 6 carryover of $108,788 when racing resumes Thursday. Post time is 1 p.m.
The Pick 6 will begin in the third race. Scheduled post time is 2:03 p.m.
The half-length victory from off the pace by Golden Itiz, a 4-year-old
Tiznow colt out of the Dixieland Band mare Golden Tiy, was his third in four
races over Cushion Track. One of his wins for owners Mace and Samantha Siegel’s
Jay Em Ess Stable and trainer Ron Ellis was the Grade III Affirmed Handicap in
2010.
Now 4-for-7 in his career, Golden Itiz, who had been away for some 10 months
prior to his sixth place finish in an allowance June 10, was ridden by Tyler
Baze. He completed the seven furlongs Sunday in 1:22.68.
Increasing his bankroll to $160,480, Golden Itiz saved
ground early while fourth in the field of five, was shuffled back a bit
approaching the far turn, was maneuvered to the outside for the stretch, then
finished well to win at 4-1.
A $240,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September sale
in 2008, Golden Itiz paid $10.40, $4.80 and $3.
First or second in his four starts over Cushion Track, Red
Door Drive, the 2-1 second choice, paid $3 and $2.40.
Indian Firewater, the 3-2 favorite who set the pace, was
third, 2 ¼ lengths behind Red Door Drive. He returned $2.20 to show. Red Door Drive and
Indian Firewater are trained by Bob Baffert, the leading trainer at the
Spring/Summer meet.
Making his first start since he checked in 11th
in the 2010 Kentucky Derby, American Lion was fourth, weakening a bit in the
final furlong after being Indian Firewater’s closest pursuer for more than half
of the journey. Red Eye Express completed the order of finish.
Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who was unseated when Sunburn
stumbled badly shortly after the start of the fourth race Friday night, took
off his final two mounts Sunday due to lingering soreness. Valenzuela did not
ride Saturday.