Photo: Hollywood Park
Favored
Indian Firewater led throughout to win the $58,900 Nashville Stakes Thursday at
Hollywood Park.
Ending
a nine race losing streak, the 3-year-old Indian Charlie colt and the Touch
Gold mare Touched had a clear lead early in the stretch, then held off Paris
Vegas to win by a half-length.
Owned
by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman and trained by Bob Baffert, Indian
Firewater covered the 7 ½ furlongs in 1:29.65. The victory was the second in 12
starts for the Kentucky bred, who was purchased for $400,000 as a yearling at
the Keeneland September 2008 sale.
Ridden
by Joel Rosario, Indian Firewater paid $5, $3.20 and $2.40. Paris Vegas, who
was making his California
debut for trainer Fabrice Chappet, returned $5.80 and $3.40. The gray, who
trailed for the opening half mile, finished 3 1/4 lengths in front of Thomas
Baines. The show price on Thomas Baines, who had won his two previous starts
against $62,500 claimers at Del
Mar, was $2.80.
Indian
Firewater, whose only other victory came against maidens Sept. 7, 2009 at Del Mar, has now earned
$137,920.
Leothelion,
making his first start as a gelding, was fourth, 2 ¾ lengths behind Thomas
Baines, then came Gallant Gent and Our Minesweeper.
There
were 12 perfect tickets in the Pick Six. Each was worth $36,862. An additional
$616,692 was wagered Thursday chasing a carryover from Sunday of $99,993.