Photo: Hollywood Park
Racing Aptitude, the longest shot in the field at 16-1, led
virtually throughout to easily win the $80,650 Yo Eleven Stakes Friday night at
Hollywood Park.
This upset was followed by another in the finale by El Tango
Ray ($25.20), so there will be a two-day Pick 6 carryover of $159,777 when
racing resumes Saturday. Post time is 12:30 p.m. The Pick 6 will begin in the fourth
race. Scheduled post time is 2:02 p.m.
A distant third as the 19-10 favorite in his first start in
California and initial try for trainer Bob Baffert Oct. 20 at Santa Anita,
Racing Aptitude engaged with Square Eddie for the lead immediately, took control
down the backside and went on to the decisive victory.
Owned by breeder Don Dizney, the 3-year-old gelded son of
Aptitude and the Saint Ballado mare Ecclesiastes is now 3-for-11 with earnings
of $143,850. The two previous wins for the Florida bred had come in 2010 over the turf
at Calder.
Ridden by Martin Garcia, Racing Aptitude, who paid $35.20,
$12.20 and $4.40, covered the 7 ½ furlongs over Cushion Track in 1:28.72.
Tweebster, the 6-5 favorite making his first start for
Baffert since a seventh-place finish in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap March
5, was second, 4 ½ lengths behind the winner. The 4-year-old son of gray son of
Tapit, who has two wins and a pair of runner-up finishes over the Hollywood Park main, returned $2.80 and $2.20. El
Gato Malo paid $2.80 to show.
In losing for the
eighth time in a row since winning over the Del Mar grass Sept. 9, 2009, El
Gato Malo finished a half-length behind Tweebster.
Golden Itiz, the 2-1 second choice, and Square Eddie
completed the order of finish.
Earlier in the program, jockey Joe Talamo won three times,
taking the second with 14-1 outsider Lunch Time Diva, the fourth with Skippy
Due and the sixth atop favored Blue Tambourine.
The main event on the nine race card Saturday is the
$100,000 Real Quiet Stakes. Liaison, a recent maiden winner at Santa Anita for
Baffert and owner Arnold Zetcher, is the 2-1 favorite on Russ Hudak’s morning
line.
Five other 2-year-olds –Senor Rain, Rousing Sermon,
Runstevierun, Tiz Point and Captain Obvious - are scheduled to start in the
race at 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track.