Photo: Hollywood Park
Senator Bob remained perfect over the Hollywood Park turf
course, leading throughout under jockey Patrick Valenzuela to win the $61,106
feature by 2 ¼ lengths Thursday, opening day of the Autumn meet.
Thanks largely to a 42-1 upset Warren’s Marshall in the
eighth race, there will be a Pick 6 carryover of $39,266 when racing resumes Friday
night. Post time is 7:05 p.m. At the conclusion of the program – approximately
10:30 p.m. – a concert starring Steel Pulse will begin at the North Park Lawn.
Although he had to settle for second aboard Pride of Silver
in the day’s richest race, Joel Rosario, the defending Autumn meet champion,
collected four victories.
It was the second quadruple of 2011 at Hollywood Park for
Rosario, who won four races May 21 during the Spring/Summer meet. Rosario led that meet
with 64 wins.
Two of Rosario’s victories Thursday came in tandem with
trainer John Sadler, taking the second with Domonation and the sixth with
Musical Arts. The rider also captured the third with Star Nicholas and the
seventh with Wallstreeter.
A 4-year-old gelded son of Skimming and the Bold Badgett
mare Aloha Mangos, Senator Bob relaxed on a clear lead and was never menaced en
route to his second victory in as many starts on the Hollywood Park grass. The California bred had won
an optional claimer versus state breds July 17.
Owned by Calvin Nguyen and trained by Jim Kasparoff, Senator
Bob has won four of 28 and earned $178,823. Two of his wins have come in seven
races since being claimed by his current connections for $25,000 April 14 at
Golden Gate Fields.
In ending a three-race losing streak, Senator Bob, who broke
from the inside in the field of 12, returned $10.40, $6 and $4.40 as the 4-1
second choice.
Pride of Silver, trying to provide trainer Bob Hess, Jr.
with his 999th career victory, finished a head in front of Bailouttheminister.
Making his first appearance on turf, Pride of Silver, a 7-1
shot, paid $8.20 and $5. The show price on Bailoutheminister, an 11-1 outsider,
was $7.80. Renegade Storm, the 5-2 favorite, was fifth.
Favored Roman Chic wired her eight opponents in the fourth,
providing trainer Mike Mitchell with his 857th win at Hollywood
Park. Mitchell is two behind Charlie Whittingham for second on the all-time
list. Bobby Frankel leads with 952 local victories.