Photo: Hollywood Park
Making his first start beyond seven furlongs since October 4, 2009,
John Scott was a winner, defeating favored Rail Trip in the $65,930
feature Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Successful for the second time in three starts since returning from a
lengthy layoff, the 5-year-old gelding prevailed by a half-length under
jockey Victor Espinoza.
Owned by breeder Harris Farms Inc. and trained by Carla Gaines, the
California bred son of Bertrando and the Deputy Minister mare Henlopen
has won four of six. He increased his earnings to $193,144.
After battling with Admission from the outset, John Scott, the 5-2
second choice in the field of seven, put that one away after six
furlongs, then gamely withstood the challenge of Rail Trip, the 8-5
favorite and a multiple graded stakes winner, including the Grade I
Hollywood Gold Cup in 2009.
Perfect in two races over Cushion Track, John Scott covered the 1
1/16 miles in 1:44.25. He paid $7.20, $3.80 and $3.40. In his previous
try at the distance, the dark bay finished in a dead heat for fourth in
the Grade I Norfolk Stakes during the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita.
Seeking his sixth win over the Betfair Hollywood Park main track,
Rail Trip, who finished 5 ¼ lengths in front of 9-1 shot Worth
Repeating, returned $2.80 and $3. The 7-year-old spotted the winner five
pounds (124-119). The show price on Worth Repeating was $5.20.
Completing the order of finish were Classic Legacy, the 3-1 third
choice, Soul Candy, Admission and Michael the Man. All Squared Away was
scratched.
Although he failed aboard Classic Legacy, Rafael Bejarano widened
his sizable advantage in the jockey standings by winning five times. The
Peruvian-born rider, who turned 30 last Saturday, won the first four
races and the finale.
Bejarano, who has a 57-34 lead over jockey Joe Talamo with 12 days
remaining in the Spring/Summer meet, swept the early double for trainer
Peter Eurton with Flashy Dame and Above Par, then went gate-to-wire with
Yankee Dan in the third and Pearl Daddy in the fourth, then overcame a
horrible start to win the eighth with heavily-favored
Executiveprivilege.
This was the third time Bejarano has won five races on a single day
at Betfair Hollywood Park. The most recent before Thursday was May 12,
2010.