Hollywood Park: Former claimer Killer Bear surprises in On Trust Handicap

Benoit & Associates

Killer Bear rallies from last under Tyler Baze to post a 15-1 upset in the On Trust Handicap.

INGLEWOOD, Calif.- Killer Bear, who was claimed three times during the summer for $25,000 and $32,000, won Saturday’s $78,200 On Trust Handicap for California-breds at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Killer Bear ($32.20) closed from last in a field of seven to catch an unlucky favorite in Macho Dorado and win by a half-length. Killer Bear ran 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:29.94. Mensa Heat, the defending champion, finished third.

Macho Dorado, sent off at 7-5, led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining, but could not hold off Killer Bear, who rallied wide.

Killer Bear was the second-longest shot in the field. A 5-year-old horse by Northern Devil, Killer Bear was claimed for $25,000 in June  from trainer Steve Knapp by his current owners and trainer – a partnership led by Selman Shaby and trainer Jeff Mullins.

After Killer Bear won an optional claimer for them at Del Mar on July 18, Knapp reclaimed Killer Bear. In the horse’s following start, a fifth-place finish on Aug. 4, the Shaby partnership and Mullins claimed Killer Bear again for $32,000.

Killer Bear was ninth and fourth in two starts at Del Mar and Santa Anita for that team before Saturday’s race.

Killer Bear has won 4 of 47 starts and $281,512. Earlier in his career, he was third in the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar in August 2010.