Above Perfection easy winner

ALBANY, Calif. - Odds-on favorite Above Perfection toyed with seven rivals as she easily captured the $67,100 Orinda Handicap* at Golden Gate Fields on Monday.

Above Perfection ($3) was in a head-and-head duel with Phaenna down the backstretch before easing clear on the turn. She drifted in a bit during the drive but defeated Bullish Miss by one length, running six furlongs on a wet-fast track in 1:09.09.

"It's sure nice when a 1-5 shot runs like they should," said winning jockey Corey Nakatani, who took the ride when promised the chance to ride Above Perfection in the $125,000 Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita on Feb. 23.

"She broke good, and we weren't going too fast early, so I just sat on her," said Nakatani.

"When I asked her in the stretch, she really responded. This should give her confidence and set her up for her next start."

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