Hollywood Park: Rosario goes out a winner in Beverly Hills Handicap

INGLEWOOD, Calif.- Jockey Joel Rosario is leaving California a winner.

Sunday, in his final day of riding at Betfair Hollywood Park before relocating to New York for the rest of the summer, Rosario rode Capital Plan to a nose victory in the $100,000 Beverly Hills Handicap.

The style of the win was different than Rosario envisioned – he was forced to move early and sustain a lengthy bid – but the result was what bettors expected. Sent off favored, Capital Plan ($3.80) held her advantage through the stretch over Cambina, the winner of the Grade 1 American Oaks in 2011.

Rosario had Capital Plan in fourth in the field of six fillies and mares for the first half-mile, after a pace of 26.11 and 51.41 seconds, and moved closer to pacesetter Quaintly with a wide move on the backstretch. For the final six furlongs, Capital Plan was within a length of the front.

“I had to go,” Rosario said. The pace “was too slow.”

Capital Plan took the lead from Quaintly before the eighth pole and never led by more than a head through the final furlong, holding off Cambina. Quaintly finished a half-length behind Cambina. Imperialistic Diva, who raced in traffic in the stretch, finished fourth, followed by Camille C and Slane Castle.

Capital Plan ran 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:04.21.

The narrow margin of victory did not concern Rosario. He recalled riding Capital Plan in an allowance race over a mile on turf at Santa Anita in March when the filly led in the stretch and was caught, losing by a neck.

“I got beat on her before when she made the lead and waited on horses,” he said.

Capital Plan, by Rock Hard Ten, won her fifth race in 12 starts in the Grade 3 Beverly Hills Handicap. Owned by Mark DeDomenico and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Capital Plan won the Grade 2 Santa Barbara Handicap over 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita in March. She has earned $305,800 in her career.