Photo: Hollywood Park
Logical Single became a stakes winner in her second trip to
Southern California, capturing the $73,350 Fran’s Valentine by a half-length Sunday
at Hollywood Park.
The fifth victory in 12 starts for Logical Single came after
a claim of foul by jockey Joe Talamo, who rode runner-up and 2-1 favorite Lady
Railrider, was disallowed. Talamo alleged he was interfered with in the final
sixteenth, but stewards Scott Chaney, Kim Sawyer and Tom Ward ruled the order
of finish would stand.
Trained by Dean Pederson for owner-breeder Harris Farms,
Inc., Logical Single, a 4-year-old daughter of Singletary and the Dynaformer
mare Zoelu was ridden by Chantal Sutherland. The win was the third in a stakes
for Sutherland at the Spring/Summer meet.
In winning for the first time in her third outing on turf,
Logical Single, a 7-1 shot, completed the mile in 1:34.56. She increased her
earnings to $198,652.
Third behind La Nez and Saanneen in the Irish O’Brien March
19 at Santa Anita in her lone previous venture away from Golden Gate Fields,
Logical Single paid $16.60, $7.40 and $4.80. Lady Railrider, second behind
Ultra Blend in last month’s B. Thoughtful Stakes over Cushion Track, returned
$4 and $3. She finished 2 ½ lengths clear of pacesetter Jax El. The show price
on Jax El was $4.40.
Seeking to become the first repeat winner in the Fran’s
Valentine, which was run for the 16th time Sunday, U R All That I Am
could do no better than fourth as the 5-2 second choice. Completing the order
of finish were Camille C, Warren’s
Jitterbug and Ruffled Feathers.
“She was out there by herself and was looking around a
little bit, but if anything she kind of went in because she switched to her
left lead,’’ said Sutherland, explaining what transpired nearing the wire. “I
saw him (Talamo) close to the wire, but had already switched my lead inward.
Sometimes it goes 50-50 and sometimes it goes their way and I know Joe’s got to
try (to claim foul). I was lucky today and very grateful.’’
Earlier in the day, trainer Mike Mitchell earned the 2,500th
win of his career when heavily-favored One Bad Romance won the first race.
Mitchell tops the trainer standings at the current meet with 12 victories and
is third all-time at Hollywood
Park with 839 wins. He
trails only Bobby Frankel (952) and Charlie Whittingham (859).